An ROI Measurement Audit for Life
6 Prompts to Operationalize a Ripples of Impact Framework in EDUCATION
Please click the ♥️ if this post resonates!
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Mother Teresa
In the realm of education, where the ultimate goal is to shape the future through knowledge and learning, the traditional approach to measuring success often falls short. We’ve talked about it here, here and here. And there is more to say.
In a recent School of Thought post on the REBELution, the suggestion was that instead of solely focusing on academic outcomes, we need to invest in a paradigm in which Return on Investment (ROI) in schools is expanded to include "Ripples of Impact."
Pause to consider the transformation that happens to humans through the experience of school. There are profound, lasting effects that educational decisions DO have that are not measured, and CAN have if we are intentional.
The Big Idea
We need to operationalize a framework for measurement that includes Ripples of Impact. Traditional ROI in education often overlooks ways school could change the world. By reimagining ROI as Ripples of Impact in schools, we embark on a transformative journey that transcends conventional measures of success.
In a Ripples of Impact framework, the success of schools is not solely gauged by exam results, grades and college acceptances. Instead, the emphasis broadens, opening space and support for well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also kind, socially aware, globally conscious, emotionally intelligent, and equipped with essential life skills.
The true value of education lies in the enduring ripples it creates—
empowered, self-aware individuals,
thriving, healthy, equitable communities, and
a world shaped by the positive impact of knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
ROI can still be seen as Return on Investment. Adding a Ripples of Impact framework further humanizes school, work and life. It makes the world better.
Making Big Ideas Usable
I’ve started a list of ways these ripples might begin, ways we need to count and report, showcase and celebrate, to fully embody this other form of ROI. What is missing? What would you add? Take away? Consider? I would love to hear from you.
1. Environmental consciousness
Implementing sustainable practices, incorporating environmental education, and fostering a sense of responsibility for the planet create ripples that extend far beyond the classroom, contributing to a more sustainable future.
We can ask: How many graduates are engaging in earth conscious practices? Recycling? Solar energy? Earth friendly products?
2. Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility
Embracing Ripples of Impact encourages schools to create inclusive environments where every student, regardless of background, can thrive. The positive ripples emanate from fostering a sense of belonging, understanding, and respect among a diverse student body.
We can ask: How many students are empowered advocates for themselves and their communities? How many students vote? How many students describe and understand their multi layered identities?
3. Healthy life affirming practices
Ripples include the incorporate of healthy practices, from listening to your own moral compass to finding ways to make an active life happen for you.
We can ask: How do students treat one another? How do they treat themselves?
4. Connectedness
The ripples extend to preparing students for a rapidly evolving world where People Based skills including connectivity, adaptability and problem-solving skills are paramount.
We can ask: How adaptable are students in the face of inevitable change? How do students continue People Based Learning outside of school?
5. Schools as a part of communities
Schools are not isolated entities; they are integral parts of communities. By adopting the Ripples of Impact perspective, schools become catalysts for positive change beyond their walls. Community engagement programs, partnerships with local businesses, and collaborative initiatives create ripples that enhance the overall well-being of the community.
We can ask: How participatory are students in their local or national government, businesses, organizations, with people?
6. School as lifelong learning (the essence of School of Thought!)
In a Ripples of Impact framework, education is viewed as a lifelong journey. The impact of schools is measured not just by students' success during their academic years but by the continued ripples of learning, personal growth, and societal contributions throughout their lives. Ripples can include inspiring a love for learning, critical thinking, and creativity,
We can ask: Are students continuous learners? Where do they continue to expand their minds, their reach and their impact?
What would you add? How could we measure it? What questions are missing?
As we embrace this holistic approach, we have the opportunity to shape a future where the ripples of impactful education resonate for generations to come.
Critical Connections
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Launching School of Thought 2024 Gatherings
Connecting and Improving Youth’s Post Secondary Journey; with Teach For America’s Reinvention Lab January 18th 4pm EST
Join to be inspired by this research and the visuals that accompany it. To the researchers, “Success means connecting and improving youth’s or post-secondary journey.” Colleen Keating-Crawford and Elizabeth Booze conducted an ethnographic study in 2023, which resulted in beautiful stories, graphics and a sense of the post high school journey in the US today. They will share findings in this interactive (it will be super fun) presentation.
Creating Cultures of Questioning, with MIT Media Lab’s Cortico. March TBD
In this session, Hannah Locop, Hana Carey and Alex Kelly Berman from the MIT Media Lab’s Cortico will share strategies for engaging in constructive conversations with those who hold different worldviews. They will share ways to listen, learn and lead in seeing issues from varying, even contradictory perspectives.
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I love the "Ripples of Impact" phrase. ❤️
Ripples of Impact. Perfect!! Measuring what matters most, we can see the impact of intentional experiences and student empowerment/autonomy on their developing habits of mind, habits of work, habits of community, and habits of wellness. I keep hoping that the Learner Profiles or Portraits of a Graduate that are becoming more popular for schools and districts become more than posters on a wall. When those authentic graduate attributes are 1) embedded in the curriculum and 2) talked about and 3) owned by students and teachers and 4)measured ; powerful changes are made.