White Paper
Building Capacity for Continuous Improvement:
The Role of External Partnerships in Supporting Sustainable Change Across Schools
Authors:
Jorge Peña, Ed.D., Koru Strategy Group
William Marroquin, Ed.L.D., California State University Stanislaus
Candice Bocala, Ed.D., Harvard University
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December 2024
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Abstract:
This study examines the extent to which an external partner helped schools within a public school district in upstate New York build capacity for continuous improvement. By analyzing the experiences of school leadership teams participating in monthly coaching sessions, the research explores how the external partner built capacity for school teams to improve literacy, mathematics, academic culture, and graduation rates. Using Coburn’s Scale Framework and Bryk and Schneider’s Relational Trust Framework, the study identifies key themes related to sustainability, depth, competence, and relational trust. Findings indicate that the external partner significantly contributed to the sustainability of improvement practices, fostered deeper collaboration among school teams, and enhanced their competence in core responsibilities. The external partner’s role in building relational trust was critical in creating a supportive and collaborative environment for change. While areas for improvement were noted, such as time management and the need for more structured support, the study underscores the positive impact of external coaching on school capacity. The research provides valuable insights into how external partners can support continuous improvement within schools and offers recommendations for enhancing future partnerships. Despite limitations, including focusing on short-term outcomes and reliance on self-reported data, the study highlights the importance of adaptive support, goal alignment, and trust in driving sustainable school improvement.
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