Coherence: The Right Drivers in Action for Schools, Districts, and Systems

Complex times call for clear solutions—If initiative overload and fragmentation are keeping your best plans from becoming reality, it’s time to start leading differently. The key to bringing about the kind of successful and sustainable change you need is the Coherence Framework, a dynamic, customizable road map made up of four essential components: Focused direction to build collective purpose Cultivating collaborative cultures while clarifying individual and team roles Deepening learning to accelerate improvement and foster innovation Securing accountability from the inside out Coherence  provides the insights and tools to drive effective leadership. Now you can gain a deeper understanding of Coherence with The Taking Action Guide to Building Coherence in Schools, Districts, and Systems. Coherence is a book that demands action – it moves from the narrative of fixing one teacher at a time, to asking about the coherence of the system (be it school, national, or world issues).  Fullan and Quinn create an important narrative about direction, working together, deepening learning, and securing accountability. The book sparkles with examples of coherence in action, it makes no excuses for employing the wrong levers of change. This is the blueprint for a new vocabulary of education action; it shows where we need to go next, and is another example of Fullan at the top of his game. John Hattie Director, Melbourne Education Research Institute and Author of Visible Learning "School systems that struggle are riddled with incoherence—mismatched   strategies, competing cultures, and illogical initiatives. Fullan and Quinn explain clearly how coherence can solve the problem. Based on solid research and lessons drawn from effective practice, Coherence provides a comprehensive model to guide educators as they learn and lead their way to better schools." Susan Moore Johnson Jerome T. Murphy Research Professor Harvard Graduate School of Education        

Table of Contents:
Authors′ Note: The Time Is Now! Chapter 1. Coherence Making What Coherence Is and Is Not The Wrong and Right Drivers in Action The Coherence Framework Get the Right Mind-Set for Action Chapter 2. Focusing Direction Purpose Driven Goals That Impact What Matters Most Clarity of Strategy Change Leadership Focused Direction in Action Final Thoughts Chapter 3. Cultivating Collaborative Cultures Culture of Growth Learning Leadership aka Lead Learners Capacity Building Collaborative Work Collaborative Work in Action Final Thoughts Chapter 4. Deepening Learning Develop Clarity of Learning Goals Build Precision in Pedagogy Shift Practices Through Capacity Building Moving Whole Systems Toward Deeper Learning Final Thoughts Chapter 5. Securing Accountability Internal Accountability External Accountability Final Thoughts Chapter 6. Leading for Coherence Master the Framework Develop Leaders at All Levels Final Thoughts References and Further Readings Index Acknowledgments About the Authors

About the Author :
Michael Fullan, Order of Canada, is the former Dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and Professor Emeritus of the University of Toronto. He is co-leader of the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning global initiative. Michael served as Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Special Policy Adviser in Ontario from 2003-2013. He received the Order of Canada (OC) in December 2012 and holds five honorary doctorates from universities around the world. His ‘interim autobiography,’ Surreal Change, covers his pre-Covid-19 era to 2018. Michael and his colleagues are now working diligently on field-based comprehensive system change in several countries. Under the umbrella of what they call the ‘humanity paradigm’ —equitable-equal deep change that integrates local (school and community), middle (district/regional), and centre (policy) entities. Michael’s latest books are: Spirit Work and the Science of Collaboration (with Mark Edwards, 2022), The Principal 2.0 (2023), The Drivers (with Joanne Quinn, 2023), and The New Meaning of Educational Change, 6th Edition (2025). For more information on books, articles, videos, podcasts please go to: www.michaelfullan.ca Joanne Quinn is an international consultant and author on system change, leadership, and learning. As co-founder and global director of New Pedagogies for Deep Learning, she leads the capacity building of a global innovation partnership across eight countries focused on transforming learning. Joanne has provided leadership at all levels of education as a superintendent of education, implementation advisor to the Ontario Ministry of Education, and Director of Continuing Education at the University of Toronto. Recent books include Coherence: The Right Drivers in Action for Schools, Districts, and Systems; The Taking Action Guide for Building Coherence in Schools, Districts, and Systems; and Deep Learning: Engage the World, Change the World. Joanne′s diverse leadership roles and her passion to open windows of opportunity for all give her a unique perspective on influencing positive change.

Review :
"Coherence is a book that demands action – it moves from the narrative of fixing one teacher at a time, to asking about the coherence of the system (be it school, national, or world issues).  Fullan and Quinn create an important narrative about direction, working together, deepening learning, and securing accountability. The book sparkles with examples of coherence in action, it makes no excuses for employing the wrong levers of change. This is the blueprint for a new vocabulary of education action; it shows where we need to go next, and is another example of Fullan at the top of his game." I love this book--timely, practical collaborative action! In an era of overload, frustration, and fatigue Coherence offers an extremely timely, necessary, and practical alternative to improving education. Coherence is essentially about the power, potential, and promise of people working collaboratively: the humanity and professional capacity of educators seeking to lead, learn, and teach to realize the persistent moral purpose of supporting all students to succeed. A hallmark of Coherence is that the principles and actions are grounded in practical examples from schools, districts and entire education systems. We desperately need coherence; this book provides a vital framework for collective action! "School systems that struggle often are riddled with incoherence—mismatched   strategies, competing cultures, and illogical initiatives. In their highly informative book, Fullan and Quinn explain clearly how coherence can solve the problem. Based on solid research and lessons drawn from effective practice, Coherence provides a comprehensive model to guide educators as they learn and lead their way to better schools. " "With the improvement of student learning at the center, Coherence assists educational leaders at every level to choose strategic drivers for change, learn collaboratively, and deliver results collectively. Fullan and Quinn nail the solution:  building coherence is an on-going process that focuses on quality implementation of a small number of powerful goals that improve student learning.  The Coherence Framework pushes and supports all leaders to improve their practice in the service of students." "Coherence is a must read for educators and politicians who are ready to talk the walk and take action with the ‘right drivers’. As a site and district leader I learned from reformers and researchers alike, but I struggled to operationalize what I had learned to benefit the adults and students I served.  In Coherence, Fullan and Quinn clearly articulate a plan for operationalizing the "right drivers" throughout the system-school site, district, county, state, and nation." "Michael Fullan and Joanne Quinn have hit it out of the park in their new book Coherence. This book is an excellent resource for any school or school system that is committed to continuous improvement. Coherence is a practical powerful action guide  for schools and school systems to use as they work collaboratively to close the achievement gap that exists in our schools. This book should be the required reading for all school administrators and elected officials."