We Need to Create our Silver Lining
Where are the big changes we thought would come in education? Let’s GO!
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Are we on the verge of squandering our chance to renovate education?
With headlines screaming about
learning loss,
math and reading “recovery”,
how US children’s creativity is declining,
the failure of hybrid learning, and
academic integrity flags for students for using AI as a note taking tool1
we are putting ourselves at risk for overlooking the lessons learned from the past few years.
Even in new school spaces, schools that were planting experimental seeds before the pandemic, I am worried that the possibility for growth is closing.
We are settling in the old systemic processes and practices that “normalize” school with overly early starts, overscheduled days, or make school “schooly” without exercising our options for remaking.
We urgently need to create our own silver linings right now in schools.
The Big Idea
Here’s the challenge:
Teachers do not have the tools they need to create learning conditions for all students to thrive.
Students do not have the tools they need to create human conditions for their lives to flourish.
And the problem lies in the systems and structures that make up school.
There have been positives:
A focus on student centeredness (should it be human centered instead?)
But there hasn’t been real change where it matters: in systems and structures.
Structures
Most school start times are still way to early, especially for high school.
Over scheduled teens do not have time to rest and recharge.
Every moment in school is planned, and tasked, and overseen.
Systems
Teachers are encouraged to engage in self care, but given little time off.
Learning unfolds in predetermined, non-individualized units of study.
School is historically created by administrators and then given to students.
We still have the opportunity to take a hard look of those lessons we might have not had time to consider, and take another look to bring them forward.
Making Big Ideas Usable
Here are a few of the things we might thoughtfully reconsider in schools:
SOME HYBRID: We should not judge what hybrid looks like based on the messy, unplanned shift we all made to hybrid learning. Those results do NOT mean we should abandon the concept entirely.
LESS SCHOOL: Why do we even have 12th grade for everyone? Why not find ways to reimagine the standard?
MORE REFLECTION: What if “gap” years were more organized and options for many? What if it were the exploration year (s) before making a commitment to your profession?
MORE REST: Why do we over schedule young people? What are the alternatives? What is necessary?
NO CARNEGIE UNITS: Let’s abandon the template that no longer suits of having units of study crammed into maybe 15 weeks, seat time measuring course length instead of what is learned makes no sense.
👉What else? Who is with me???? Let’s Go!!
Critical Connections
What would you say to doing Virtual Gatherings that bring us together over high interest School of Thought blog posts.
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Is this a great idea? Would you join?
From this post: Do you find there are positive stories to tell in schools as a result of the pandemic?
What are some opportunities we might want to take in schools today?
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This sounds personal because it is.
Just restacked you. The right wing are screwing we the children
I have subscribed and read your Making Big Ideas Useable. Which makes a lot of sense to this child of the aftermath. I have spent much my long life looking for this kind of discourse. Substack keeps delivering me opportunities, challenges, and collaborations. I am currently assisting Suzanne to bring a really Big Idea to fruition. May I invite you to read https://suzannetaylor.substack.com/p/an-essay-contest-its-january-2050 We are building a corps of creative authors with Big Ideas. Peace, Maurice