The Definition of Insanity in Schools Today
The Definition of Insanity
We have all heard the saying of “the definition of insanity.” The only constant in schools is the low standardized test scores and the attrition rate of teachers on campus.
“The definition of ‘insanity’ is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. –Albert Einstein [1]
I do not know who came up with the saying, but it describes the public school system well.
How Schools are Run
Principals have the freedom to run their schools as they see fit. They also have a boss that they have to answer to at work. There are two common areas with each principal who passes through the school.
The first area the principals look at is the scores of the standardized test, and the second is the curriculum used at the school. The principals are evaluated on how well students perform on the standardized test.
The students, however, are under no obligation to do well on the test. The test does not count on their letter grade and their GPA. Most students complete the test to complete the test; some students try their best on standardized tests. The rest of the students complete the test because the administration says to complete it.
Two Areas of Concern
The standardized test scores are indicators of the schools’ effectiveness; therefore, it is a reflection of the principal. If the scores continue to fall every year, the principal feels the need to help teachers improve their instruction. They hire a consultant or multiple consultants to help teachers with the curriculum in the classroom.
Here is Where it Gets Interesting.
The consultants follow a set of procedures set up by their consulting firm; they follow a script to tell the teachers, “this is what you need to do to increase student achievement.”
The consultants with absolutely no idea of the makeup of the students on campus continue to promote their agenda, and teachers follow the directives from the principal because the principal is the boss.
At the end of the contract with the consultant, the students do no better on the standardized test. Students’ scores were higher on the standardized test before the consultant arrived three years ago.
The principal feels panic because the school he is responsible for is worse than when he started. More teachers leave teaching under his tenure than at any time in school history.
The next option for the principal is to continue with the consultant for three more years or choose another consultant.
Meanwhile, disgruntled faculty voice their opinions about the process and the direction of the school; the principal presses forward with his idea of what the school should be.
He leaves the school, and another principal takes his place.
Final Thoughts
The cycle of revolving administration and teachers continues, and the need to improve student state test scores remains.
The next administration moves in a different direction with their ideas, and more consultants are purchased; the process continues.
If you want to identify a perfect example of the definition of insanity, you only need to look at the public schools.
“The definition of ‘insanity’ is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. –Albert Einstein [1]
The quest for the administration to increase the student test scores on the standardized test continues.
The public school system is an example of the definition of insanity.
Reference:
I am a high school math teacher. I am also an author of math workbooks. I like reading, writing on Medium, and writing on my blog. I also hope to write more articles in the area of creative writing.
Don Sabado
Teacher/Author/Tutor
Email: [email protected]
