Parents want different, not better, when it comes to education. How do we make that happen?
I’ve awoken from my writing hibernation with an opinion at Real Clear Education today. Here’s a preview:
According to a new report, there’s a significant disconnect between what parents want from education, what they think other parents want, and what the system actually provides. Much of the coverage of the report has focused on reforming schools to reflect the goals of most parents. I disagree with that approach. The goal should be to create a more dynamic education system that frees educators and families to create schools that meet ever-changing, unique needs.
The Purpose of Education Index from Populace, a Massachusetts-based think tank, is a unique survey that identifies how parents really feel about what is most important for education. One of the takeaways is that parents want a different approach to education, but they think that their views are in the minority. For instance, the average parent ranks getting into college at the end of K-12 as the 47th most important goal. But they believe that other parents rank it as the third most important goal.
As the report’s press release notes, parents want to “rethink American education in favor of personalized curricula, practical skills, and subject mastery and away from standardized testing, college prep, and a one-size fits all model.”
I agree. The 100-year focus on creating a standardized path for all, prioritizing cramming for tests, and using education to rank and sort students has failed. It does not recognize the world we live in today, let alone the world students will inhabit: a world where a chatbot can ace a Wharton MBA exam.
Having said that, here are five considerations to guide our thinking going forward:
You can continue reading over at Real Clear Education. With my writing hibernation now complete, expect some more stuff in your inboxes over the coming weeks.
-Adam