Review or buy it here
Change in schools is challenging. So many initiatives start with high hopes but fizzle out before they can make a real impact. As a life-long educator and administrator, that’s why Making Change Stick by Dr. James Mannion resonated with me. This isn’t another quick-fix program that promises overnight success. Instead, it’s a deeply thoughtful and research-backed guide/program that can lead to real, lasting school improvement.
James understands what many of us have experienced—about 70% of school improvement programs fail. But what if we could turn that number around? What if change could be truly sustainable? That’s the heart of this book. It doesn’t just tell you what needs to happen; it walks you through how to make it happen and why taking the time to do it right is so important.
The Power of the Slice Team
One of the most inspiring aspects of Making Change Stick is its emphasis on collaboration and shared responsibility. Too often, school improvement is handed down from the top, leaving teachers and students feeling disconnected and unmotivated. James introduces the Slice Team—a diverse group of educators, students, and community members who drive the change together. This approach fosters learner agency, ensuring that the people most affected by change have the voice, choice and responsibility in shaping it.
A Science-Based, Step-by-Step Approach
What makes Making Change Stick truly stand out is how it combines insights from implementation and improvement science. Instead of vague suggestions, it provides a structured, 25-step framework that may take up to three years to fully implement. That might sound like a long time, but that’s the point—real change isn’t instant. Skipping steps is where so many schools go wrong, and this book will help schools avoid those pitfalls.
What You’ll Find Inside
James doesn’t just talk theory—he provides real, practical tools to make change happen. The book includes:
A clear, research-backed roadmap for school improvement, with detailed steps for data collection, habit formation, and team collaboration.
Real-life examples from schools that have successfully implemented lasting change.
Tried-and-tested strategies to ensure that good intentions turn into real, measurable progress.
There is also a website (https://www.makingchangestick.co) that has been created which provides more tools to assist in the implementation of the program. There is also a subscription option which will provide full access to the Making Change Stick training suite for everyone in a school’s organisation for 3 years. (note these are currently in development (as of February 8, 2024)
Why This Book Matters
If you’ve ever felt frustrated by school initiatives that come and go, leaving little impact, Making Change Stick is for you. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or policymaker, this book will help you rethink how change happens—and how to make it last.
James doesn’t promise an easy fix, and that’s what makes this book so valuable. Instead, he offers a thoughtful, collaborative, and science-based approach to school improvement. If you’re ready to commit to real, meaningful change in your school, this book will be an invaluable guide. If you’re looking for a way to break the cycle of failed initiatives and create something that truly lasts, Making Change Stick is a must-read.
