5 YEARS AFTER IMPLEMENTATION - THE ROLE OF THE DISTRICT IN MAINTAINING AN ONGOING SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROCESS

The longitudinal study reported here provides insight into the rule of the school district in implementing and maintaining the essential ele ments of a nine-year statewide improvement project called SPUR five ye ars after the termination of stare funding and external support. Rev t o the conceptualization of SPUR were findings From the comprehensive R and Study (McLaughlin & Marsh, 1978) on successful change efforts emph asizing the importance of implementing an ongoing improvement process. On-site visits to six districts and a follow-up survey of all 60 part icipating school districts were used to determine maintenance of the p rocess. factors facilitating/impeding maintenance, and long-term benef its. Results suggest that SPUR represents a viable improvement process that can be implemented and maintained in districts and schools with positive outcomes. individual and organizational efficacy as well as a n increased capacity fur change and innovation were found to be direct ly related to the level of district maintenance and support.