Authors′ Note: The Time Is Now!
Chapter 1. Coherence Making
What Coherence Is and Is Not
The Wrong and Right Drivers in Action
The Coherence Framework
Get the Right Mind-Set for Action
Chapter 2. Focusing Direction
Purpose Driven
Goals That Impact What Matters Most
Clarity of Strategy
Change Leadership
Focused Direction in Action
Final Thoughts
Chapter 3. Cultivating Collaborative Cultures
Culture of Growth
Learning Leadership aka Lead Learners
Capacity Building
Collaborative Work
Collaborative Work in Action
Final Thoughts
Chapter 4. Deepening Learning
Develop Clarity of Learning Goals
Build Precision in Pedagogy
Shift Practices Through Capacity Building
Moving Whole Systems Toward Deeper Learning
Final Thoughts
Chapter 5. Securing Accountability
Internal Accountability
External Accountability
Final Thoughts
Chapter 6. Leading for Coherence
Master the Framework
Develop Leaders at All Levels
Final Thoughts
References and Further Readings
Index
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Michael Fullan, Order of Canada, is the former Dean of the Ontario
Institute for Studies in Education, and Professor Emeritus of the
University of Toronto. He is co-leader of the New Pedagogies for
Deep Learning global initiative. Michael served as Premier Dalton
McGuinty’s Special Policy Adviser in Ontario from 2003-2013. He
received the Order of Canada (OC) in December 2012 and holds five
honorary doctorates from universities around the world. His
‘interim autobiography,’ Surreal Change, covers his
pre-Covid-19 era to 2018. Michael and his colleagues are now
working diligently on field-based comprehensive system change in
several countries. Under the umbrella of what they call the
‘humanity paradigm’ —equitable-equal deep change that integrates
local (school and community), middle (district/regional), and
centre (policy) entities. Michael’s latest books are Spirit
Work and the Science of Collaboration (with Mark Edwards,
2022), The Principal 2.0 (2023), The
Drivers (with Joanne Quinn, 2023), and The New Meaning of
Educational Change, 6th Edition (2025).
For more information on books, articles, videos, podcasts please go
to: www.michaelfullan.ca
Joanne Quinn is an international consultant and author on
system change, leadership, and learning. As co-founder and global
director of New Pedagogies for Deep Learning, she leads the
capacity building of a global innovation partnership across eight
countries focused on transforming learning. Joanne has provided
leadership at all levels of education as a superintendent of
education, implementation advisor to the Ontario Ministry of
Education, and Director of Continuing Education at the University
of Toronto. Recent books include Coherence: The Right Drivers
in Action for Schools, Districts, and Systems; The Taking
Action Guide for Building Coherence in Schools, Districts, and
Systems; and Deep Learning: Engage the World, Change the
World. Joanne′s diverse leadership roles and her passion to open
windows of opportunity for all give her a unique perspective on
influencing positive change.
"Coherence is a book that demands action – it moves from the
narrative of fixing one teacher at a time, to asking about the
coherence of the system (be it school, national, or world
issues). Fullan and Quinn create an important narrative about
direction, working together, deepening learning, and securing
accountability. The book sparkles with examples of coherence in
action, it makes no excuses for employing the wrong levers of
change. This is the blueprint for a new vocabulary of education
action; it shows where we need to go next, and is another example
of Fullan at the top of his game."
*John Hattie, Director and Author of Visible Learning*
I love this book--timely, practical collaborative action! In an era
of overload, frustration, and fatigue Coherence offers an extremely
timely, necessary, and practical alternative to improving
education. Coherence is essentially about the power, potential, and
promise of people working collaboratively: the humanity and
professional capacity of educators seeking to lead, learn, and
teach to realize the persistent moral purpose of supporting all
students to succeed. A hallmark of Coherence is that the principles
and actions are grounded in practical examples from schools,
districts and entire education systems. We desperately need
coherence; this book provides a vital framework for collective
action!
*Carol Campbell, Associate Professor*
"School systems that struggle often are riddled with
incoherence—mismatched strategies, competing cultures,
and illogical initiatives. In their highly informative book, Fullan
and Quinn explain clearly how coherence can solve the problem.
Based on solid research and lessons drawn from effective practice,
Coherence provides a comprehensive model to guide educators as they
learn and lead their way to better schools. "
*Susan Moore Johnson, Jerome T. Murphy Research Professor*
"With the improvement of student learning at the center, Coherence
assists educational leaders at every level to choose strategic
drivers for change, learn collaboratively, and deliver results
collectively. Fullan and Quinn nail the solution: building
coherence is an on-going process that focuses on quality
implementation of a small number of powerful goals that improve
student learning. The Coherence Framework pushes and supports
all leaders to improve their practice in the service of
students."
*John Malloy, EdD, Assistant Deputy Minister*
"Coherence is a must read for educators and politicians who are
ready to talk the walk and take action with the ‘right drivers’. As
a site and district leader I learned from reformers and researchers
alike, but I struggled to operationalize what I had learned to
benefit the adults and students I served. In Coherence,
Fullan and Quinn clearly articulate a plan for operationalizing the
"right drivers" throughout the system-school site, district,
county, state, and nation."
*Wes Smith, Executive Director*
"Michael Fullan and Joanne Quinn have hit it out of the park
in their new book Coherence. This book is an excellent resource for
any school or school system that is committed to
continuous improvement. Coherence is a practical
powerful action guide for schools and school systems to use
as they work collaboratively to close the achievement gap that
exists in our schools. This book should be the required reading for
all school administrators and elected officials."
*Chris Steinhauser, Superintendent*
![]() |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
![]() |