The Wallace Foundation’s Approach to Scale Will Miller President, The Wallace Foundation Professional Learning Community Expanded Learning Opportunities November 20, 2013

Our discussion today The Wallace Approach How innovation spreads Theory in action Reflections on scale 2

Our discussion today The Wallace Approach Support work of grantees Add value by advancing knowledge 3

The Wallace Approach (Our theory of change) Understand the Context (Engage with the external environment to identify knowledge gaps, field interest, and time lines) Catalyze Broad Impact (Improve practice and policy nationwide) Generate Improvements and Insights (Build promising new approaches and new evidence/knowledge) 4

Our discussion today The Wallace Approach How innovations spread 5

What is diffusion? The ‘bible’ of diffusion – Diffusion of Innovations, by Everett Rogers Diffusion is “the process in which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among the members of a social system.” 6

What drives diffusion? Extent and nature of the communications efforts Organizational policies and incentives System-level policies and incentives Characteristics of the innovation itself 7

Characteristics of a successful innovation Relative advantage over current practice – is it better? Compatibility with current practice and values – does it fit what I do? Simplicity – can I master it? Testability – can I try it out in part before I commit? Observability – can I see it in action? 8

The diffusion curve 9 Cumulative number of adopters Rate of adoption Time

Putting diffusion theory to use Meet people where they are Focus on connections between groups Not every innovation makes it up the curve 10

Raise awareness Inform policy makers, thought leaders Inform practitioners and other funders Benchmark current practices Publicize existence proofs Support field building Develop tools and actionable products to speed adoption Our diffusion activities 11 Synthesize what’s known into Perspectives Briefing and convenings Website and social media Communication partnerships and media relations Advertising Film and video Remove barriers Facilitate or incentivize adoption

Our discussion today The Wallace Approach How innovation spreads Theory in action 12

Wallace’s education leadership initiative Understand the Context (Knowledge gap: How to prepare and support leaders in ways that strengthen school improvement efforts) Catalyze Broad Impact (More than 70 reports, 140 initiatives, 15 new nonprofits) Generate Improvements and Insights (Worked with 26 states and 15 districts; commissioned research; convened PLCs) 13

Characteristics of a successful innovation Relative advantage over current practice – is it better? Compatibility with current practice and values – does it fit what I do? Simplicity – can I master it? Testability – can I try it out in part before I commit? Observability – can I see it in action? 14

15 We say more only as we learn more Promote specific solutions combining outcomes and cost Define the problem, share emerging solutions and operational lessons Build awareness of the problem and need for solutions Less knowledgeMore knowledge Degree of knowledge about what works 2000: Policymakers should focus on improving school leadership 2003: Policymakers should shift from increasing supply of certified principals to improving quality 2007: Policymakers should support evidence-based principal training programs using tools to assess them

We all practice diffusion PASA’s City Symposium provides cities with framework to start their own intermediary or afterschool system Say Yes and others help ensure expanded learning and community schools are part of New York State’s education reform agenda TASC and NYC pilot a new initiative to meet the need of middle school students struggling with reading Horizons and Higher Achievement adapt their models to allow for more widespread impact 16

Our discussion today The Wallace Approach How innovation spreads Theory in action Reflections on scale 17

Reflections on scale Scaling isn’t easy Change is a cycle Evidence is crucial, but it’s not the end of the story Innovators are in it together 18

together 19 We know it can be done…