What is the sense of urgency about improving results?

Organizations usually don't change unless there is good reason to do so. If the school's results are acceptable to the district, the state, and to its parents, including the parents of students in subgroups within the school, then change probably won't occur, nor should it. The urgency for change comes when results are not acceptable. The high stakes accountability wave broadens the definition of "unacceptable." Schools that in the past appeared to be doing very well are suddenly cast into school improvement process when their achievement data are disaggregated, and the racial achievement gaps are evident or the performance of the special needs students is significantly lower than that of the rest of the population. Schools in school improvement status have sanctions and restrictions imposed on them and are under the glare of the spotlight. The data serve as a powerful incentive to change practice. (Annenberg Institute for School Reform, 2002).

Before a school embarks on resource allocation, the principal should establish a sense or urgency about changing results. This requires making those results public and working with staff, parents, and community to define the improvement that will have to be made to change the school's status.