What are Schools For?
I've had hundreds of conversations with colleagues about what schools should be. It has proven to be a sure-fire way to engage in a lively discussion. So, that's what this blog entry is all about. Sign up, sign in, comment on this subject and add your voice to this subject on which everyone has an opinion. Tell us what you would do if you could start your own school! Anything education is permitted: Nothing is sacred.
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Schools
Great comment, Pete. I'm afraid I have to agree. If I were to design a school, I would include the following:
*No grade levels based on student age. Kids need to be multi-aged. Chronology means nothing when it comes to learning. The "social" argument doesn't hold up.
*No grading system. The idea of comparing students does more harm than good.
*No textbooks. If a teacher can't "teach" without one, they are in the wrong profession.
*No grade level courses in high school. The idea is ridiculous.
*No paper and pencil MC tests. The only reason they exist is to make teacher work easier. They are worthless as assessments.
*Much greater student choice. Who else knows as much about what they need?
*Multiple resources, including local experts.
Perspective
Yes...It is all about perspective....There isn't a thing that I have in my life that isn't a direct or indirect result of public education. I can read, I know a bunch of skills, etc that I "learned" in school...Welll Elementary school. Now, I would have to say that my secondary experience was largely a waste of time...Little by little (and I mean VERY little) many are indeed educated in ways that bring them "far". But, i see schools, as they are today, as largely baby sitting services with teh added benefit of caring teachers. So...what are schools for? Mostly to provide safe housing for widget makers and the rest of us a chance to go to work, and know our kids are safe, for the most part. While all schools taut mission statements that laud the best in learning, the vast majority test kids in ways that don't ask them to think...These kinds of tests are designed to keep a large body of students fairly ignorant. I wish I could be more positive about what we have as schools (and that depends where you are too) but the reality of what is available and the beauracracy that sustains itself is simply nuts! So...i see it as you have buildings with kids and caring, learned adults (teachers) who try very hard each day to bring their students a little bit further along...And you know what? they, for the most part, do a really good job given the circumstances they have to deal with.