Trends and Issues in P-12 Educational Change

In section 5 of our textbook, I really like how they split up the chapters based on the different applications of Instructional Design. Based on my background and work in the K-12 sector, I read about the Trends and Issues in P-12 Educational Change. I thought it would be logical since I have no experience with the business, military, higher education or health care. In the reading they discuss 2 methods of instituting systemic change (which can be statewide, district wide, school wide, or ecological wide). The main point of systemic change is that it has to be for the whole system, and not be focused on certain aspects of it. Of the two processes that they presented, I like the Step-Up-To-Excellence model over the Guidance System for Transforming Education simply because in SUTE they address the role of everyone, especially IDT specialists so that if I were to pursue this field, I'd have clearer idea as to what I would be doing.

I think the message that chapter is trying to send out is important. In order for the change to systemic, it really needs to be top down so that there's support from the leaders, as well as the financial commitment to help see the changes through. At the same time you need the local support because the book attributes the failure of systemic change to the reluctance and inability to implement the change properly by transitioning from the old to the new.

I'm not sure if this particular field is right for me as I feel like it's too political. I'm interested in the business application of IDT and to see if perhaps it could be a better fit for me.