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"As we enter 2013, teachers and administrators will reflect on the school's existing strengths and weaknesses. High performing schools ask questions such as, "Which students are struggling? What will we do to support them in 2013?" New Year's Day is a time when people around the world establish new personal and team goals. Among the most common personal goals are weight loss, financial goals, spending time with those you love, and volunteerism. How can school leaders capitalize on this transition from 2012 to 2013? How can goals drive the work of teachers and schools?"

This is the a series of blog posts by Mike fisher about harnessing the internal talent of a school district. When a school system decides that they really want to affect change and systemic improvement, it's important to tap into the most valuable resource they have: each other.

"We don't need more leaders… we need more first followers."

"At a learning session I attended recently, Michael Fullan announced that, after reviewing John Hattie's research on practices with the most significant impact in schools, collective efficacy is the new winner. Once again, we have evidence that harnessing the power of the group rather than relying solely on the individual is key to unlocking the full potential of educators and students in schools. Collective efficacy -- educators' belief that in working together, they have the capability to improve significant challenges in schools -- doesn't just happen when systems or schools offer educators the opportunity to collaborate. According to Fullan, four conditions are essential to create collective efficacy."