Not all issues confronting schools should be a priority. Schools should make deliberate efforts to place their bets on the one thing that can yield a profound impact. Schools should know where to place their smart bets. In any school there is always an array of issues competing for attention. Absence of a good strategy or smart choices is when schools try hard to be seen to be actively addressing anything coming their way and giving all issues on the table equal attention and treatment. This is a recipe for disaster and a clear sign of lack of focus.
Rachel E. Curtis and Elizabeth A. City have left no doubt as to where a school should place its bets, if transformation is to come. “Transformation is possible when all forces from the kindergarten teacher to board members come together and commit to making the education of children the number one priority. The number priority above power struggles, political whims or practitioner or parental excuses.” Turf wars can be very disruptive. Where there is no clarity of purpose turf wars can assume prominence over matters of the classroom. Schools are littered with many examples of power struggles, which inhibit good learning and blow away chances of change. Power struggles come in different forms.
