Re: Impediments to Change

Posted by LL on 11/20/05

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1. A HUGE lack of understanding of the importance of
scientific research in practice. As a psychologist, I am
appalled at how teachers and administrators
lack a genuine understanding of how important research is
when we adopt new programs, interventions, and policies.
It's sickening that TONS of precious education monies are
spent on pure junk (i.e., unproven programs, materials, and
curricula)---yet good, scientific research-based programs
sit by the wayside because no one realizes their importance
and value.

I once read the following statement: "In medicine,
tranferring new research-into-practice takes approximately 6
months. In education, it takes a generation."

2. A COMPLETE lack of efficiency. Education is such a
convoluted bureaucracy--rare are its policies and procedures
evaluated for efficiency. Instead the top-down policies
just keep building upon teachers' responsibilities. Rarely
are programs or procedures analyzed to determine if they can
be removed and replaced with a more efficient system. New
things are just dumped on top of old policies/procedures---
and each year, the pile increases.

3. Often in districts, the left hand not only doesn't know
what the right hand is doing---the left hand doesn't even
KNOW a right hand exists! Re-invention of the wheel seems
to be a mantra of Education.

I wil think of more examples and post later...

GREAT question!

On 11/19/05, Daniel Scharfman, D.C. wrote:
> I am not a primary or secondayr school teacher. (My
mother
> was a 3rd grade school teacher in NYC for over 25 years -
> so I guess it's i the blood).
>
> I am enrolled in a Masters ind Educational Leadership
> Program at Argosy University. In a current class I was
> given the question "What are the main impediments to
change
> in your school or district?"
>
> Can anyone out there can give me some brief answers to
this
> question?
>
> Thanks
>
> Dan

Posts on this thread, including this one

• Impediments to Change, 11/19/05, by Daniel Scharfman, D.C..
• Re: Impediments to Change, 11/20/05, by LL.