Collaboration, a powerful tool for school reform, facilitates school improvement efforts and minimizes the overwhelming dimensions of change. A collaborative change process underway in North Carolina emphasizes using input from teachers, as well as supporting the notion of school leaders working collaboratively with many others who are interested in improving schools: higher education, the state agency for public education, colleagues from other schools, and consultants. Principals are encouraged to take an “all hands on deck” approach to problem-solving and change efforts. This article discusses the successes and frustrations of school leaders involved in this collaborative reform project.
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