If you
want to know what’s happening at a school, why not ask the principal? That
doesn't sound like rocket science, right? You wouldn't ask an artist how to
cure a cold or a doctor how to fix a car. For many years, the field of
education was devoted to following the advice on "experts" who
conducted research about how schools "should work". But, what did
they know? Were they in the classrooms when little Johnny clowned around? Were
they in your classroom as students sat lifelessly not understanding anything
that you were saying? Then why would you listen to “experts” who had little
experience in what the real classroom looked like?
If you
need something to change, why not go to the expert in that setting?
Administrators can gauge what the problems of their school are, based on recommendations,
conduct their research, and implement a plan of action in order to see
improvements. As we know, when one problem is fixed another arises, and so the
cyclical process begins. Although problems might continue to arise, the
administrator is better prepared and is proactive, rather than reactive (Dana,
2009, p. 14).
