Overcoming Cognitive Biases: Strategies for School Administrators

The role of school administrator has changed dramatically in recent years. With the rise of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, administrators are under more scrutiny than ever before. In addition, the pressure to improve student outcomes has never been greater.

To be successful, school administrators must be able to make sound decisions. However, this can be difficult to do when we are all subject to our own cognitive biases. These conscious and unconscious biases about students can lead administrators to make poor decisions that have negative consequences on their students.

However, bias is an inevitable part of the human condition, and we all suffer from it to some degree. Nevertheless, when it comes to making decisions that affect others, it’s important to be aware of our biases and try to overcome them.

School administrators are in a unique position to make a difference in the lives of students. But they are also susceptible to the same biases that everyone else is. The difference is that their biases can have a much larger impact.

In addition, you can learn and master this type of various leadership skills with our recommended MA in Education with Leadership and Administration course as well.

To help school administrators overcome their own conscious and unconscious biases about students and make better decisions, we have put together a list of 5 strategies. Keep reading to find out more!

What are cognitive biases?

Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts that our brains take when we make decisions. They help us to simplify and streamline our decision-making process, but often these biases lead us to make decisions that are irrational or counterproductive. There are hundreds of cognitive biases, and it is important to be aware of them so that we can recognize them when we’re making decisions based on them.

1. Overcoming cognitive biases

The first step to overcoming conscious and unconscious biases about students or in general cognitive biases is to be aware of them. School administrators should take the time to familiarize themselves with the different types of cognitive biases and how they can affect decision-making.

Once you’re aware of them, it’s easier to recognize when you’re making decisions based on a bias. The next step is to try to recognize which biases you’re more likely to be affected by, and then make a conscious effort to be aware of them.

2. The sunk cost fallacy

The sunk cost fallacy is one of the most common cognitive biases. It’s the idea that if you’ve invested time or money into something, you should continue to invest more even if it’s not a good decision. To avoid the sunk cost fallacy, school administrators should try to be aware of how much time and money they’ve invested into a project and evaluate the costs and benefits of continuing to invest.

3. The confirmation bias

Confirmation bias is a type of bias that is often seen in decision-making. It’s the tendency to look for and accept information that supports our own beliefs and to ignore or reject information that contradicts them. To avoid confirmation bias, school administrators should make a conscious effort to consider all available information. They should be open to considering the possibility that their beliefs might be wrong or incomplete and actively seek out opposing views to broaden their perspective.

4. The status quo bias

The status quo bias is another common type of bias that can be difficult to overcome. It’s the tendency to prefer to maintain the current state of affairs because change can be uncertain and unpredictable. School administrators should be open to considering new ideas, approaches, and solutions to avoid the status quo bias. They should look for opportunities to explore alternative approaches and give team members the space to be creative and innovative.

5. The halo effect

The halo effect is a type of bias that can be difficult to recognize. It’s the tendency to allow one trait or behaviour to influence our overall view of a person. To avoid the halo effect, school administrators should try to focus on an individual’s specific traits and behaviours and be aware of how their perceptions of a person can shape their decisions rather than earlier created perceptions of conscious and unconscious biases about students.

Overcome Cognitively Biased Thoughts Effectively

Biases are an inevitable part of being human, but it’s important for school administrators to be aware of them and make a conscious effort to overcome their conscious and unconscious biases about students. To help school administrators make better decisions, we’ve outlined a few strategies including being aware of cognitive biases, avoiding the sunk cost fallacy, overcoming the confirmation bias, avoiding the status quo bias, and overcoming the halo effect. We hope this information has been helpful in your efforts to make the best decisions possible!

In case, if you are an experienced or an upcoming aspirant who want to become a school leader and administrator who wants to take their school to newer heights because of your decision-making skill, then we do recommend our MA in Education with Leadership and Administration course, which will be definitely of help.