Question Eight: How can Driver Diagrams help us describe our Theory of Improvement?
Conceptual Overview
Text-Based Reflection
Read "What's Your Theory?" by Brandon Bennet and Llyod Provost and answer the questions below.
- How can Driver Diagrams help you visualize and organize your theory of improvement?
- What are some lingering questions or concerns that you have about using Driver Diagrams in your system?
- How can classroom teachers use Driver Diagrams to improve their practice?
Teacher Leader
Use a blank Driver Diagram to create a Theory of Improvement for the data you looked at in the last question. Remember to address these questions
- What do we want to accomplish?
- How will we know when a change is an improvement?
- What change can we make that will result in an improvement?
School Based Leader
Use a blank Driver Diagram to create a Theory of Improvement for the data you looked at in the last question. Remember to address these questions
- What do we want to accomplish?
- How will we know when a change is an improvement?
- What change can we make that will result in an improvement?
District Leader
Use a blank Driver Diagram to create a Theory of Improvement for the data you looked at in the last question. Remember to address these questions
- What do we want to accomplish?
- How will we know when a change is an improvement?
- What change can we make that will result in an improvement?
Case Study Analysis
Each year Improvement Elementary School looks at its data and writes a needs assessment summary. Four years ago, they identified a need in foundational skills in reading and ended up adopting a new program that was backed by research. After one year of implementation, the scores did not change. They were ok with this because it was a learning year. The second year there was some growth in scores, but they were still not where they would like them to be. The third year scores were once again stagnant. Although the school is engaged in a cycle of continuous improvement, the parents and school board are very frustrated. They ask, Why did they spend all this money on a program that doesn’t work?
What are some other reasons why the change might not have worked? What other data would be helpful to know? What advice would you give the school’s Continuous Improvement Team at this point?
Additional Resources
Use this blank Driver Diagram Template for your context.
Examine the VT AOE’s Plan-Do-Study-Act Rapid Cycles of Learning Worksheet for a different way of thinking about setting up an improvement project.