Is there evidence of strategic thinking and acting?
This qualitative study investigated the impact of the strategic planning process on strategic thinking and acting in three Rhode Island public school districts with prolonged experience in strategic planning. An interpretive case study approach was used to investigate districts’ perceptions of their own strategic planning experiences. A strategic thinking and acting typology was constructed based on the work of Fullan (1993), Snader (1998), Mojkowski (1998), and others during an extensive review of the literature. This typology provided a baseline of indicators of strategic thinking and acting in an educational context. It was used to categorize and document evidence of strategic thinking and acting behaviors found in the three school districts. The first strategic planning cycle does not seem to be enough to foster habits of strategic thinking and acting in district personnel. However, there are key lessons to be learned from the first planning experience that will make the second str
