Subject: School as a System

Posted by Richard Turnock on 1/8/2010
In Reply To:Symptoms Posted by Steve Crowley on 1/8/2010

Message:

Steve Crowley said:
“Don't overlook the role of the world outside the school.”
…and “Can students' education be relevant when boundaries are enforced?”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Bill Braun said:
“…while students may be the consumer, they are not the customer.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

Schools as an organizational system: There is much more to this concept than I can put into an email.

1. Setting the boundaries of the organizational system.
Imagine schools as organizations in three dimensions (moving through time, the fourth dimension). You can build a two dimensional organizational model of each subsystem: classroom, school and district. Then connect them into a larger 3D system. One example of a connection is where the goals of each subsystem are aligned with the goals of each level above it. You can connect the subsystems to the outside world and still have a subsystem organization with boundaries.
2. Define the roles of individuals and organizations.
Students are not consumers or customers. Students are workers producing learning. Teachers are leaders/supervisors. A district has customers based on who pays: In Oregon, the state and local taxpayers each contribute. The customer of the school is based on who pays the bills – the district, state and local taxpayers.
3. One primary tool is Plan-Do-Study-Act
This is a reinforcing feedback loop with the goal of continuous improvement of any process. Other tools are included in “Tool Time” by Langford.
4. What are examples of structures of the organizational system that we call a high school?
a. The bell schedule
b. The bus schedule

OK, that’s enough for now.
Richard