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System Wise: Continuous Instructional Improvement at Scale
Actionable and adaptable guidance for extending the proven Data Wise process from the classroom to entire school systems
272 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2024
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August 3, 2026
I think the genre of education leadership books has some problems. I think most of the texts produced in this industry have a kernel of value, significance, or helpful applicability to the profession, but I think too often those kernels of value are stretched into book-length formats simply for the purpose of sales. I cannot imagine what the gross revenue of this industry is, but I think in general it exploits the education system by peddling an exhaustive supply of strategies (which may or may not be backed by actual research) to exhausted education leaders.
However, I think System Wise is different. This is the best text I have seen which speaks to the very specific issue of district-level curriculum and instruction initiatives. It captures perfectly the type of problem-solving work which a school district's curriculum and instruction team ought to center as the basis for their work. It answers the question for how to dissolve the departmentalized silos which can exist in district-level offices and refocus the work of the team to improve the district's instruction through an inquiry-oriented process. This text does an excellent job balancing the sometimes seemingly competing interests of improving quantitative performance measures in a district with the need to build community, share and listen to stories, and attend to the lived experiences of stakeholders in the school district before, during, and after a change initiative. This book gives me, finally, a framework that I think embeds acknowledgement of dissent, validation of frustration and confusion, and opportunities to re-evaluate and refocus efforts throughout the change process, which is the most honest and realistic approach to district-level instructional leadership that I have encountered. This book speaks directly to my role, and it feels so relevant and helpful that I am struggling to take it off of my desk and place it on my bookshelf!
I would recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone looking to better understand and improve instruction from a system-level perspective.
However, I think System Wise is different. This is the best text I have seen which speaks to the very specific issue of district-level curriculum and instruction initiatives. It captures perfectly the type of problem-solving work which a school district's curriculum and instruction team ought to center as the basis for their work. It answers the question for how to dissolve the departmentalized silos which can exist in district-level offices and refocus the work of the team to improve the district's instruction through an inquiry-oriented process. This text does an excellent job balancing the sometimes seemingly competing interests of improving quantitative performance measures in a district with the need to build community, share and listen to stories, and attend to the lived experiences of stakeholders in the school district before, during, and after a change initiative. This book gives me, finally, a framework that I think embeds acknowledgement of dissent, validation of frustration and confusion, and opportunities to re-evaluate and refocus efforts throughout the change process, which is the most honest and realistic approach to district-level instructional leadership that I have encountered. This book speaks directly to my role, and it feels so relevant and helpful that I am struggling to take it off of my desk and place it on my bookshelf!
I would recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone looking to better understand and improve instruction from a system-level perspective.
Displaying 1 of 1 review