Education Reform at FWCS

Tom Houlihan, a national education expert known for his work in transforming educational entities, returned to Fort Wayne last week to discuss his observations on the work being done in Fort Wayne Community Schools. Houlihan first visited FWCS in August, talking to district officials, parents, students and community members to learn about the school district, the community and the capacity for change. In his return visit he reviewed what he learned.

In his analysis of FWCS, he said the district possesses three of the four major characteristics crucial to successful change and the fourth is attainable. FWCS has an awareness and sense of urgency about the need for change, strong leadership at all levels of the system and a community of leaders and organizations to help create, implement and sustain transformational change. The district is on its way to meeting the fourth characteristic of aligning systems at the classroom, school, district and state levels. What is lacking, he said, is complete alignment of the state rules and regulations to the FWCS system, which Houlihan believes can be remedied through further work with state officials.

Houlihan took special notice of the district’s efforts to strengthen leadership at every level – from the community and schools to the administration and school board.