Process Matters pt. 2: Education

Gradually, our society has shifted from one that emphasized process and doing things the "right" way, to one that is only interested in results. Yesterday, we discussed this phenomenon and how it is evident in sports. No longer is "how you play the game," but whether or not the team wins or loses.

This attitude has taken over American education as well, and not to our advantage. Rather than focusing on the importance of the education process, we've turned our eyes to outcomes, often ignoring the development of the child.

This focus on results over process is evidenced by the prominence of "Outcome-based Education" (OBE) in our school systems. Increasing pressure from politicians and taxpayers over increasing spending in schools has lead to an overemphasis on performance and test scores. Don't get me wrong, students should be held accountable and schools should have clear expectations for student achievement; however, the hyper-focus on learning outcomes to the detriment of the process has resulted in teacher "teaching to the test" rather than providing an authentic education. In my 20 years as an educator, I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually seen a scope and sequence being actively followed and evaluated. In fact, I know several schools who have this document filed away somewhere, only taking it out when the next round of accreditation occurs. The classroom teachers have no consistent process they are following, only getting the results by hook or crook. Instead of creating an effective process that can be repeated for ongoing success, we've begun to focus only on the results.

This has resulted in several negative byproducts in our schools. Parents have begun to lose sight of the gradual development of their children, instead focusing on "test results." This in turn has put greater pressure on schools to "produce" these test scores. States have attached funding and other incentives solely to the achievement levels of the schools, not taking into account the process. Academic dishonesty among students is at an all-time high, with students being told by their local schools and colleges and universities that results are all that matter.

Once upon a time, we taught our children the processes. We emphasized how Algebra and Geometry helped the individual think and problem solve more effectively. We valued the study of literature and writing and how these processes helped develop the character of the individual. We taught our students the scientific method, making sure they knew that true science wasn't dedicated to achieving a desired result. Our students knew that learning history was a necessary component to making informed decisions in their futures. Our students were encouraged to be musicians and artists and develop every aspect of their being. Now, our students are taught that it's just the information that matters. If they can spit it back out on the FCAT or the SAT, then it's served its purpose. Learning for its own sake is an antiquated notion. School and learning is merely a means to an end for both teachers and students.

This development, like with sports, has robbed education of its soul.