Deming as Applied to Ed Reform #2

This posting is a continuation of the series begun recently.  We are focusing on applying principals of Edward Deming’s “Continuous Quality Improvement”

Deming's third point of quality, "Cease dependence on inspection to achieve quality. Eliminate the need for massive inspection by building quality into the product in the first place."

Dale Rogers suggests the following ways to “build quality into the product in the first place.

• “… utilize the intern model used by the medical profession by having quality internships for new teachers.”  This honors Deming's sixth point; "Institute training on the job."  (Interesingly enough, this model is available in Washington state now.)

•  Question the idea of “one teacher per classroom”.

•  Redesign the school calendar to “recognize the quality benefits of time for teachers to plan and evaluate student work.

•  Develop “21st century techniques of education that aren’t built on a foundation of a standardized curriculum”.

•  Develop a “.. support system … that would reduce the high percentage of teachers that leave the profession within the first five years.”