Resistance to Change

O'Banion makes some remarkable points about the reform of education and change. He explains how the current reform efforts have sharpened the focus of learning and have created an opportunity for substantive institutional change - change that will always be met with considerable resistance. He states, "Resistance to change is a hallmark of higher education" (p.28). All of the stakeholders involved, the education bureaucrats, the faculty, the administrators, the students, and the parents, are the reasons why change is so difficult. Is change inevitable? If this is so, Terry O'Banion points out on key demand on education: more learning for more students at lower costs (p. 34). However, there are many pressures happening that may force change to happen such as:

• Economic Pressures - "There is universal agreement among all sectors of American society that improving education and training is essential if the United States is to remain competitive in the world economy."
• Technological and Competitive Pressures - Technology has enabled a new flow of information to people and because of this there is a need to incorporate it into curriculum. "In the future, the information will come to the people, wherever they are."
• Demographic Pressures - Next generation of students, the Nintendo generation is at the door. Also, return of older adults and workers with aspirations to improve their employment prospects and receive updated job skills.