FACILITATING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE

"A critical friend is a trusted person who asks provocative questions, provides data to be examined through another lens, and offers critiques of a person’s work as a friend" (Costa and Kallick, 1993).

The Aporia principals are very adept at working as “critical friends” to support clients in their thinking about and implementation of innovation. They work as participant observers, without a vested interest, who can bring an objective eye to the process. The following are examples of Aporia activities that have focused on facilitating organizations' review of current activities, setting of strategic directions, and implementation of action plans:

• Supporting the building, implementation, and sustainability of a Superintendent learning network (York Region District School Board)

• Critical friend consultation on the Department of Education sponsored “data-informed practice” research project (Gauteng Department of Education, South Africa)

• Establishing and supporting a curriculum and program support learning network (Upper Grand District School Board)

• Priority setting, strategic-planning, and developing an indicators framework (Branksome Hall)

• Evidence-driven focused board planning and capacity building requirement identification (Waterloo Catholic District School Board)

• Creating effective networked learning communities of schools (District School Board of Niagara)

• Building focused and impactful cross-school learning networks (York Region District School Board)

• Design, implementation, and review support for a district-wide Planning for Improvement initiative in schools. (Halifax Regional School Board)

• Development and refinement of a large-scale assessment program in mathematics, writing, and reading. (Halifax Regional School Board)

• Support for a district-wide program of strategic planning and data-driven decision-making (Lambton Kent District School Board)

• Input for a plan to support the national literacy and numeracy strategies (Tribal Group - UK)

• Support for developing and using indicators for monitoring system-wide performance (Government of the Northwest Territories)

• Development and facilitation of a process for reviewing district initiatives in literacy, mathematical literacy, and program pathways (Simcoe County District School Board)

• Structure and support for developing an organizational position on large-scale assessment and accountability (Council of Directors of Education)

• Review of student decision support software suite and recommendations for future development (SRB International Inc.)

• Formulation of technical and policy positions for large-scale assessment (Education Quality and Accountability Office)

• Review of literature and formulation of suggestions for action for embedding and sustaining educational change within an e-learning program context (Industry Canada's SchoolNet)