People for Education Conference Toronto, OntarioNovember 7, 2009

The Fourth Way: The Inspiring Future for

Educational Change

WithProfessor Dennis ShirleyLynch School of EducationBoston College

• Three Historical Ways of Change• Three Current Paths of Distraction• Can We Envision a Better Way

Forward?

What is Your Vision for Your Schools?

The First Way

The Second Way

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The Third Way

• The Path of Autocracy• The Path of Technocracy• The Path of Effervescence

First Way Inspiration,

Innovation,Autonomy

Second Way Urgency, Consistency, Equity, and Entrepeneurialism

Third Way Balance and Inclusiveness; Public Involvement;

Financial Reinvestment; Better Evidence;

Professional Networks

Retain Abandon

First Way Inspiration, Innovation,Autonomy

License, Inconsistency and Lack of Transparency

Second Way Urgency, Consistency, Equity,

Entrepreneurialism

Excessive Confidence in Standardization and Markets

Third Way Balance and Inclusiveness Public Involvement

Financial Reinvestment

Better Evidence

Professional Networks

Persistent Autocracy

“Deliverology”

Imposed Targets

Obsession with Measurement Effervescent Interactions

Are our schools distracted from their true moral purposes?

If so, what could my role be in finding a better way ahead?

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An inspiring and inclusive vision Public engagement No achievement without investment Corporate educational responsibility Students as partners in change Mindful learning and teaching

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www.dennisshirley.netwww.mindfulteacher.comshirleyd@bc.edu

Presented at People for Education’s conference.www.peopleforeducation.com

Questions?