Building Momentum for Change: How Continuous Improvement Equips Spartanburg Educators
As Spartanburg County schools gear up for a new academic year, the Wardlaw Center for Improvement Science (formerly the Wardlaw Institute for Continuous Improvement) is proud to spotlight the educators and leaders who are laying the groundwork for lasting change. This summer, dozens of school teams across Spartanburg School Districts 1, 5, 6 and 7 participated in Wardlaw’s Continuous Improvement (CI) 101 and 102 trainings - foundational experiences that are helping schools shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive, data-informed improvement.
What Are CI 101 and CI 102?
CI 101: Principles of Continuous Improvement introduces educators to the core mindsets and methods of improvement science. Grounded in the Carnegie Foundation’s six core principles of improvement, this 5-hour session helps participants explore real-world problems such as chronic absenteeism and begin developing theories of improvement.
CI 102: Tools & Methodologies for Improvement Teams builds on that foundation. In this 7-hour, team-based workshop, educators dive into root cause analysis, craft aim statements, and generate change ideas to test using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. The session is hands-on, collaborative, and designed to help teams develop actionable next steps rooted in an improvement science framework.
“The CI training provided specifics on how designing and implementing evidence-based strategies and interventions can be utilized to address identified areas for improvement. Through this important work, we were able to embrace continuous improvement efforts to create a more effective learning environment for all students. We look forward to using the CI processes throughout the upcoming school year to make high quality and effective systemic changes.
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Why Continuous Improvement Matters—Now More Than Ever
In education, time and money are always in short supply. That’s why improvement science is so powerful: it helps teams focus on what matters most, test what works, and learn quickly. As one educator put it, “I used to ask, ‘Who needs to change?’ Now I ask, ‘What’s the problem I need to solve and how do I know it’s a problem?’”. This is a foundational mindset shift: from doing change to people, to doing change with them. It builds trust, ownership, and momentum. And it’s exactly what CI 101 and 102 are designed to spark.
The Power of Asking Better Questions
Throughout the trainings, participants are encouraged to ask:
“What is the problem we’re trying to solve?”
“How will we know if this change leads to improvement?”
“What changes can we make to reach our aim?”
These questions aren’t just academic. They’re practical tools for building shared understanding and avoiding the small missteps that can derail big goals.
Dr. Shawn Wootton, standing on right, and other Spartanburg School District 6 administrators and principals participate in Continuous Improvement training at Spartanburg Academic Movement this summer.
From Training to Transformation
In the words of W. Edwards Deming, "Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.” When we can identify what’s working, for whom and under what conditions, we can see the opportunity for improvement work.
The Wardlaw Center’s approach doesn’t stop at training. After CI 102, teams are invited into a structured coaching pathway that supports implementation, reflection, and iteration. Over time, educators can grow into CI Advisors leaders who guide others through the same journey at their respective schools and districts.
This is where the deep systems change work becomes evident. And the coaching support is the best part of what we do. Wardlaw’s CI coaches have expertise in improvement science and can offer coaching, team facilitation or advisory support for individuals or teams in Spartanburg County schools.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to build a culture of continuous improvement across Spartanburg County, we’re reminded that the “why” behind our work is what drives the “how.” When educators align around a shared purpose, they unlock new possibilities for how to get there.
To all the educators who joined us this summer: thank you for your humility, curiosity, and courage as well as your commitment to doing better—for students, for schools, and for each other.