Two theories undergird the activities of the Schlechty Center

• The Theory of Change focuses on transforming schools from organizations based on the assumption that the core business of schools has to do with producing compliance and attendance to organizations where the core business focuses on nurturing attention and commitment. The Theory of Change (PDF, 38K) is the basis for the Schlechty Center's 10 District Standards.
  
  
• The Theory of Engagement focuses attention on student motivation and the strategies needed to increase the prospect that schools and teachers will be positioned to increase the presence of engaging tasks and activities in the routine life of the school. The Theory of Engagement (PDF, 46K) is the basis of the Working on the Work (PDF, 106K) framework.

Basic Assumptions Regarding School Reform

The Schlechty Center for Leadership in School Reform allows five basic assumptions to guide all of our work and creates partnerships with school district leaders that share these beliefs.

1. There is an urgent need for dramatic improvement in the performance of America's public schools.
   
   
2. The key to improving the schools is the quality of the work students are provided. To improve the quality of the work students are provided, schools must be organized around students and the work provided to students rather than around adults and the work of teachers.
   
   
3. Students are volunteers. Their attendance can be commanded, but their attention must be earned.
   
   
4. The changes required to organize schools around students and student work cannot occur unless school districts and communities have or develop the capacities needed to support change-capacities that are now too often lacking in even the best run school districts.
   
   
5. Leadership and leadership development are key components to the creation of district-level capacity to support building-level reform.