Discussion 1: Scenarios for Change

Consider the need for educational change facing the Grand City community and how members of the task force have begun working toward meeting that need. You have reviewed the data reflecting demographics for the community and reflected on how the data should inform decisions regarding changes to your specialization. While changes may be welcomed by some members in the community, as a leader of change, you must also take into account why some members resist change. Perhaps the issues facing Grand City are similar or reflective of the needs of your own community. How might you support your community in a change process? How might you encourage change-resistant community members to work toward necessary change?

For this Discussion, you will use data to develop a specialization-specific scenario representing a need for change in your educational or community setting.

Note: You will develop the scenario in this Discussion for your colleagues to respond to and address the scenario from your perspective in Module 4 Discussion 2.

To prepare:

• Review the assigned Fullan (2016) chapters for this module. Consider the processes and concepts regarding change and how educational leaders can support both.
• In the City Hall location in Grand City, revisit the media of the task force’s opening meeting. Think about the issues addressed by the members represented and how communities strive to meet the educational requirements of their children/students and the needs of their members. Think about how the issues raised in the video and those by your colleagues thus far in the course resonate with your specialization in your own educational or community setting.
• Select an issue that represents a need for change in your educational or community setting and involves, or has the potential to involve, your specialization area. Locate and review the existing data related to this issue. What is the data telling you about the issue and potential educational and/or community changes?

Note: If you are unable to determine an issue from your own educational setting or find data related to your issue, you can select an issue and review the data provided in Grand City.

• Based on the data, develop a more detailed scenario of the issue for your Walden colleagues to respond to with evidence-based strategies for leading the change process.

Note: You may wish to base your scenario on a personal experience or on the information provided in Grand City.