A K-20 Holistic Partnership for Change and Improvement

This chapter identifies the theoretical assumptions and a conceptual framework for a holistic and integrative partnership focused on change and improvement in K-20 education and teacher education. Such K-20 partnerships are based on the notion that an organic and integrated whole has a reality independent and greater than the sum of its parts. The author presents the case and urgent need today for re-inventing education by joining and converging the K-12 and higher education (13-20) sectors for an improved system of education and student learning. Included in the schema is the students' voice in the process of change. The essential and transportable elements of a K-20 holistic partnership in education are explained and two successful theory-into-practice examples of partnerships—Project SCOPE I and II—are briefly described. Also a model research approach and perspective on change and continuous improvement for the transformation of American education is offered.