"Change Forces With a Vengeance"

Book Review
Change Forces With A Vengeance by Michael Fullan, 2003. Routledge-Falmer

Now this book did change my life. Very often the literature about change, especially in education, gets so caught up in methods and prescriptions and little fix-it tricks. This author looks to science for inspiration to find a revolutionary view of deep, self-sustaining change. Drawing on complexity theory, he finds that true change must be implemented at all levels, but that new policies are not enough. Individuals and systems must be driven to be self-motivated by a noble moral purpose, quality relationships between individuals and groups, and, of course, quality information. The reality of systems is organic and self-sustaining, and the only way towards true, deep, lasting change is for all parts of the system to adopt and perpetuate a new way of thinking and acting. There is a fierce idealism here, but one that does not turn a blind eye to the realities. Even if Change Forces does not seem to match your assignment, it is a worthwhile read for restoring a teacher’s faith in what we do. At a mere 113 pages, there is no excuse.

My Verdict: Buy? Beg, steal, borrow? Skim? Skip?

Beg, steal or borrow. If you run with the big dogs and are an educational decision-maker yourself, buy it.