Stage 6 develops all the elements of effective scale up—shared ownership, system spread, depth, and sustainability. The objective is "to raise performance through a never-ending process of fine tuning policies, practices and outcomes to better achieve stakeholders’ visions and respond to environmental factors."
Leaders and participants at all levels work together to assess progress and make needed changes in the scale-up strategy as well as in school-site policy and practice. School sites collect and use the data to improve local practice while the initiative surveys and acts on multisite information to strengthen its systemic work, publicize progress, and expand rollout. System scanning efforts in Stage 6 identify areas in the scale-up spiral that need to be revisited in order to bring to fruition the vision of a community where learning happens and the capacity of the system to support this work. Subsequent passes through each stage move more efficiently as leaders apply knowledge and expertise gained the first time through. Stage 6 also brings the initiative full circle to Stage 1 and its focus on shared ownership and broad community engagement. With more community schools in operation, the initiative redoubles its efforts to communicate its accomplishments throughout the community. New partners and enhanced public recognition add to the political will and financial support needed for further expansion.
|