Best Practices. When you hear that phrase as an educator, you are about to implement something in your classroom whether it works or not. It is a phrase that conveys that others have vetted this idea, and that the idea is unimpeachable. Usually those best practices are accompanied by vague sources or are even researched by the very people promoting the strategy. Often, these new best practices are just repackaged and rebranded strategies which human kind has been using for hundreds if not thousands of years.
Restorative Practices come to mind – resolving conflict, restoring harm, healing relationships. Yeah, we have been doing all of that for a long, long time. It is called “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It is called “loving your neighbor” and “loving your enemy.” It is called “forgiveness.” These are Biblical principles which have been hijacked by humanists in the name of profit and/or professional gain. “There is nothing new under the sun,” is a phrase which comes to mind. It isn’t an innovative practice. It is an age old practice that most assuredly has stood the test of time. A word of caution about Restorative Practices…beware of the social justice side of that program – beware.
Once these best practices are identified, educational leadership will often all resoundingly agree upon their implementation. Walk-throughs will commence to confirm their use, and buildings which move the quickest will become exemplars (there is that word again). Anyone who asks questions or offers gentle dissent is labeled as being against positive change and against the goals of the organization. Professional educators are coerced into agreeing with the new policies or risk being branded as a loner, a renegade, or obstinate. Go with the group, or the group will find you a “new opportunity.”
Definition of Group Think: Group think is a phenomenon that occurs when a group of well-intentioned people makes irrational or non-optimal decisions spurred by the urge to conform or the belief that dissent is impossible. The problematic or premature consensus that is characteristic of groupthink may be fueled by a particular agenda—or it may be due to group members valuing harmony and coherence above critical thought.
Conformity and harmony. Conformity is a word which bristles a bit to a free thinker. Harmony is a practice which sounds useful. The problem? If, as a professional group, you are making a bad decision, who is going to have the courage to speak up? Who will dare to upset the harmony of an organization and seek the truth. A healthy organization will encourage and welcome constructive criticism. An organization which is simply ramming a policy into place will stifle discussion. The ideas of conformity and harmony are often used to silence people with good questions.
Quote: Historically, consensus has been the first refuge for scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming the matter is already settled. ~ Michael Crichton
Once group think is in place within your school or district culture, it is nearly impossible to uproot. I would even guess that group think probably has its own built-in set of coercion techniques in the form of building snitches, awards for those who follow group think, and the really gross one -> promotions. Yes, in education we often promote those who support bad ideas. In the past, we have called those people academic coaches or instructional designers. Now, to be fair, some academic coaches were good…but most were just good at following orders and promoting the newest flavor regardless of whether it benefited children.
Group think is a big topic, and I will probably revisit it. If we really want creativity in education, we must get the “group think” folks out of our organizations. They really have no place there as they just cannot think for themselves. Their approach to education is to promote themselves and force others to nod their heads in agreement. Their approach stifles creativity, and often encourages embracing policies and ideals which never get properly vetted. The enemy of group think are people who possess a combination of both creativity and critical thinking.
Funny Quote: If you stand still long enough in education, you will be innovative again. (in reference to the nearly constant recycling and rebranding of ideas in education)
Pro Tip: In the Israeli Defense Forces leadership will gather to identify a strategy. If everyone is in agreement, someone must volunteer to speak against the strategy. Indeed, they have an entire unit called The Devil’s Advocate Unit. That person must find the cracks in that strategy and air them out. It is the only way to prevent a bad idea from becoming an implemented strategy. Might be a good idea in many of our school buildings.
