Strategies of Sustainability

Attention to sustainability must be built in from the outset, even tho at that time we don't know what it is that should be sustained

From the outset, must work to understand and account for the nature of the community. The community is an interlocking system of students, teachers, schools, districts, boards, parents, municipalities, churches along with policies, rules and standards. No one part can change on its own. Change is both a bottom-up and top-down (and middle out) process.

We can identify that which will be sustained by noting what it is that the community can't/won't live without

To be sustained it must be recognized as a requirement, not an option or add-on

it must reach critical mass

it must address outcomes of concern to the community

• curricular objectives
• test scores
• other outcomes/benchmarks arrived at through work at developing common vision
• and demonstrate it's success in achieving outcomes

Using schools to serve the broader community and help achieve community goals may make it indispensable and sustained

An outside catalyst may be required on an ongoing basis -- catalysts must have successful personal relationships in the system

What are the alternate sources or means of providing it ?