We taste from time to time to see if we need to change the seasonings. The winds of chance may combine with unsuspected currents to block our efforts or distract us from our purpose. The assessment data is used along with other information to navigate past obstacles and problems, steering the program forward in a sound manner. Unfortunately, much of the educational research of the past emphasized summative evaluation , assessments near the end of a project which indicated whether or not the project met its goals. Research which helps the participants change direction and steer the program more wisely, formative evaluation , is rare, and yet this is likely to be the kind of research most helpful to a school council, a technology committee and a group of innovators.
Teachers can learn from day to day what is working and what needs changing.
Another important source of insight is qualitative research which applies the perspectives of anthropology to information such as interviews, journals and observations rather than relying upon quantitative research which springs primarily from numerical measures. The tools associated with qualitative research are more accessible to school practitioners than are the statistical models associated with quantitative research. Denial Some schools and districts are quite content with denial , proceeding merrily along as if the program is excellent in all respects. They would simply rather not know if anything is going wrong. Having spent millions of dollars on equipment, no news is good news.