Mar 16 2008
15-20% a new constant
I think I have discovered a new mathematical constant to join many others which are more familiar such as the circular constant 
Pi and the golden ratio 
(phi) or 1:1.6
The new one is less precise and will immediately be rejected by mathematicians but I still thinks it’s significant.
Naturally you will want to know how this discovery was made. For many years now I’ve taken a close interest in tracking change in education and often paused to make a permanent entry in my brain – multitasking is a challenge for me, I’m male.
I have a habit of asking those I meet, who visit many schools and have seen many teachers in action, a number of questions which include:
How many…
- teachers are ready to adopt new approaches to learning and assessment
- schools have ICT embedded as a tool for learning and management
- schools are learning schools, encouraging and empowering innovation
Almost without hesitation the reply is 15-20% usually followed by a pause and the comment “maybe nearer 15%”.
So this new constant is 15% and I feels it deserves a Greek letter but there isn’t one called ‘sigh’ but we will call it that anyway.
As you will have noticed this is not a scientific survey, it is anecdotal, but it is also indicative of a perceived problem.
The conversations I have mention new teachers who, confronted with a school and department which will not allow them to teach as they expected, become frustrated and leave the profession. I also hear of headteachers who seek new funding under the BSF programme but are unwilling adopt the spirit of the reforms and innovate.
We have some startlingly good schools and teachers who push the boundaries to create to create vibrant schools and new pedagogies. I knew some when I first started teaching ….maybe 15% were like that. Those schools are not the same ones leading the way today the change never became established.
The truth is the changes are dependent on key staff and governors who have engaged the support of parents and students and enthused them. Once those factors change, often by key players being promoted, the school slips into cautious, default mode.
This is not a revelation, twas always thus, research has shown over decades that teaching is cultural, teachers teach as they were taught and will default to that model if inhibited by the education system.
Do we know how to overcome this? Yes, that has also been known for decades too, sadly we have a situation at the moment were research to rediscover it is still being funded.
Teachers and schools need to feel empowered to take risks and innovate. They also need continuing support and to be trusted.
Unless we do change the constant constraints on innovation in education we will simply not achieve real change no matter how much is spent. If that happens I will sigh with relief.
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