| In this six school case study, the conversion of comprehensive high schools to small schools, as defined by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was studied, using the theory of the diffusion of innovation, as defined by Everett Rogers. This study examined a very distinct part of the small schools diffusion process and its effects on the adoption of this innovation. This study is not an examination of the efficacy of small schools versus comprehensive large high schools, but of one change agent's model of the conversion process.; Teachers, administrators, school board members, change coordinators and community members from six large comprehensive high schools in Oregon were interviewed. What emerged from these interviews was that the initial grant process had been so rushed that there were many in their communities who were not engaged in these very early conversations. Reports from all six of the respondent schools were that this early omission caused grave problems when it came time to move forward in the diffusion process. It also became clear that the school community is so much larger than what is encompassed by the individual school building. The attitudes of participants about the very early steps in the process were that these steps can impact the rate of adoption of an innovation in profound ways. |
