Education Reform- From the Factory Model to the Medical Model

What schools can learn from hospitals...

Our educational system was based on the assembly line model we encountered in the Industrial Revolution. It is not sophisticated, individualized, nor even warm and caring. In the medical model there are key differences that we can learn from as educators.

As I see it we are told all the time to collaborate, to learn from each other. It is ironic that the very institutions that preach this to us have separate leadership programs in their business school, their law school, and their educational leadership school. But this separation has diminished our capacity to grow and improve. What could happen if educators went and learned from other systems? Zoos, farms, hospitals, and even athletic programs might be able to contribute insights and wisdom to our profession.

Isn't there a need for improvement? Isn't that why the charter school and home school practices are multiplying exponentially?

So what the medical model looks like to me (please add comments to strengthen this point):

A patient enters a hospital and immediately there is data collection (both story (qualitative) and facts (quantitative). The professional then analyzes this and designs a program for the individual (specialized equipment and rooms). The next phase is to monitor progress and make any adjustments as necessary. The care plan will change over time. Once the patient is healthy or strong enough they are educated on next steps and exited. They then have a follow up.

If hospitals were run like schools there would be about 15 rooms in the hospital. 30 patients in each (sorted be arrival time). The doctor would look out over the group and tell them to all take two pills.

Our classrooms are filled with invisible diffferences as big as a dislocated toe is different than a toothache. We need a more sophisticated data collection process both qualitative and quantitative. What motivates this student? What angers them? What topics do they like? What is their educational history? Do they like quiet rooms or noisy ones? Do they like lots of color, light, and things to look at or do they need simple, organized, and dim environments? Do they like to work at their own pace or be in a group setting?

How are we measuring progress? What is a proper time frame between measures? Annual? Weekly?

Are we giving teachers time to analyze their "patients"? Do they have the capacity to handle such diverse challenges- and if not how have we supported them? What collaboration structures do we have in place when they face difficult circumstances?

I believe we can learn alot systematically from the medical world as educators. School designers can put into place structures that give teachers time to think- to design plans- and to monitor progress.

The RTI process is one step towards this reform- but there needs to be a open look at all that we do in organizing and designing our schools.

Please share some thoughts..