The power of networks to transform education: An international perspective
Brian J Caldwell

The purpose of the paper is to show how networks in their several forms are making a contribution to the transformation of education. Transformation is significant, systematic and sustained change that secures success for all students in all settings.

These forms are often complementary and include:

• Schools and school systems working in networks – local, national and international – to share knowledge address issues of common concern, pool resources or achieve other purposes of mutual benefit to participants.
• New structural arrangements in systems of education in which top-down and bottom-up lines of authority, responsibility and accountability are complemented (not replaced) by lateral networking.
• The use of computers and other forms of information and communications technology (ICT) to drive or support learning and teaching and to disseminate information to key stakeholders, often in real time.

There are four parts to this paper:
• describing these forms of networks, giving particular attention to recent interest in their formation
• giving examples of their design and implementation
• summarising evidence of impact on learning
• identifying dilemmas and directions for those seeking to achieve the transformation of schools

Examples are drawn from a number of nations and regions including Australia, South-East and East Asia, the UK and the USA. It is concluded that networking has reached a ‘tipping point’ and that different organisational forms – lateral networking within vertical lines of authority, responsibility and accountability – are complementary and mutually reinforcing. Effective implementation can accelerate the process of transformation.

The paper is written primarily for leaders in government and their departments of education but will also be of interest to school and school system leaders.

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