ABSTRACT
Distinctions between improvement and restructuring are significant and have implications for those who lead restructuring efforts and for those who provide training and support to participants in the restructuring process. Creating new systems, which is what restructuring is about, calls for faith, logic, wisdom, and intuition, at least to the degree that it calls for disciplining action with facts. There are five types of roles that become activated in the restructuring process. The five types of roles are trailblazers, pioneers, settlers, stay-at-homes and saboteurs. Each of these role types requires support from staff developers and other school leaders. Staff development which is aimed at improvement is typically based on prior experience and research. It is critical that staff developers understand who they are addressing at distinct stages in the process, for the needs of different actors will be different from time to time.
