S4 E11 - Making Decisions When the Floor is Lava

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In this episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, Jocelyn addresses the overwhelming pressure school leaders face when transitioning to structured literacy, using the "floor is lava" metaphor to describe the urgency that can lead to poor decision-making. She warns against two critical pitfalls: the bandwagon effect (following popular programs without understanding why they work) and relying on advice from people who exhibit the Dunning-Kruger effect: those with limited knowledge who speak with overconfidence, use catchphrases without deep understanding, and can't explain how theories connect to practice. 

Jocelyn provides practical guidance for identifying genuine expertise versus shallow knowledge, advocating for measured decision-making that starts with low-cost options, ensures team buy-in, focuses on principles rather than program popularity, and maintains continuous evaluation of student outcomes rather than making panic-driven choices. 

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