Getting to a whole school approach: Lessons from school effectiveness and school improvement in ESD research

Abstract

This chapter highlights the challenges faced by schools in implementing a whole school approach (WSA) for education for sustainable development (ESD) and suggests a potential reason for these challenges. While much of the current ESD research has focused on curricula and pedagogy, the chapter argues that an effective organizational context is crucial for implementing any school-wide approach. However, the factors that shape such an enabling context have largely remained unexplored in ESD research. The chapter suggests that SE and SI research can provide valuable insights into how the organizational characteristics of a school can facilitate the implementation and outcomes of ESD. By combining both perspectives, the chapter aims to foster a better understanding of how an effective WSA for ESD can be conceptualized and implemented.