The 10-80-10 Principle and Its Application to Education

How can the management theory be applied to the classroom?

Look at any group of people, and you can divide them into three categories. The vast majority of them (around 80%) are generally reliable, compliant, and do the work that is required of them. The bottom 10% of people are openly defiant, resistant, or not engaged. The top 10% are the elite performers who have self-discipline, relentlessness, and respect.

This is a management principle made popular by the college football coach, Urban Meyer. It’s a principle that has been modified by management professionals from the Pareto Principle that says 80% of outcomes come from 20% of causes. They discovered that if managers could uncover the 20% of causes that yield the best outcomes, organizations would function better, become more efficient, and waste less time.

Management, marketing, and sales professionals have been using this method with great success, but how can a teacher use this method in the classroom?

Get the elite 10% on your side.

These students always participate. They turn in their work. Their behavior in class is exemplary. These students require very little oversight from the teacher. The teacher’s responsibility to these students is to make sure that they are challenged and continue to improve. But how can the teacher leverage these students using the 10-80-10 principle?

In his book, Above the Line, Urban Meyer talks about how he challenged his star quarterback, Tim Tebow, to elevate the play of the 80%. During his two championship seasons, Meyer says that their “elite” core was built up to 30% of the team. This caused the team to soar.

How can teachers inspire the 80% to become elite?

Get the students together.?

Many times, I despise group work, but if the elite 10% are empowered by the teacher and by their specific role within a group, they can show and lift up the 80%.

Instill ownership in students.

Get away from the words of affirmation. Provide students with a clear path for success on assignments, projects, and interactions. Encourage students when they meet clear benchmarks of success. Emphasize their approach to work and how they can continue to be successful.

Remember, 80% of your students are reliable, but they are waiting to be shown greatness. Lead them there yourself and have your elite students help you.

What about the bottom 10%?

Let’s talk about a reality in the classroom. Sometimes, one or two terrible students can ruin an entire class. This is the Pareto Principle working in the negative. Just as the 10% of elite students in your class can create an amazing class experience, the bottom 10% of students can create misery.

Establish Boundaries

As a teacher, you’ve implemented and practiced your routines. You’ve gotten to know your students. You’ve established relationships. You’ve clearly laid out your expectations and are consistent.

Yet, there are a few students who refuse to follow the rules.

Many teacher frustrations can be traced back to spending too much time on the bottom 10%. Establish your boundaries of acceptable behavior, and if there are students who continuously overstep that boundary, then it’s time for consequences.

What’s the final takeaway?

Look at the Pareto Principle as a way of organizing and managing your classes effectively. The 10-80-10 principle should be looked at through the prism of behavior and expectations as opposed to intelligence. This method is a way for the teacher to organize their attention and energy for the best outcomes.