Coherence

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.caJoanne 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."

• Authors′ Note: The Time Is Now!Chapter 1. Coherence MakingWhat Coherence Is and Is NotThe Wrong and Right Drivers in ActionThe Coherence FrameworkGet the Right Mind-Set for ActionChapter 2. Focusing DirectionPurpose DrivenGoals That Impact What Matters MostClarity of StrategyChange LeadershipFocused Direction in ActionFinal ThoughtsChapter 3. Cultivating Collaborative CulturesCulture of GrowthLearning Leadership aka Lead LearnersCapacity BuildingCollaborative WorkCollaborative Work in ActionFinal ThoughtsChapter 4. Deepening LearningDevelop Clarity of Learning GoalsBuild Precision in PedagogyShift Practices Through Capacity BuildingMoving Whole Systems Toward Deeper LearningFinal ThoughtsChapter 5. Securing AccountabilityInternal AccountabilityExternal AccountabilityFinal ThoughtsChapter 6. Leading for CoherenceMaster the FrameworkDevelop Leaders at All LevelsFinal ThoughtsReferences and Further ReadingsIndexAcknowledgmentsAbout the Authors