Launching EducationInnovating.org
A movement of innovation is sweeping the country as cities and states turn toward a strategy of creating different kinds of schools that customize learning, improve student and teacher motivation, and operate at a better value. This blog will follow the movement and report on its progress.
In a new paper Innovation-based Systemic Reform, Education|Evolving argues that to improve public education 'school' as we know it must change. The system must be engaged in a continual process of innovation to find new and better ways to accomplish learning.
State legislatures and school districts are encouraging the creation of schools that are independent, innovative, and self-directed, held accountable for results instead of compliance. This type of reform gets to the design of schools, and of education systems. The policy debates today don’t talk much of the system as something that can be changed to perform differently.
Most everyone, when talking of improvement, takes the existing form and function of schools and education systems as a given. We, Education|Evolving, question: Can the country meet its goals with this commitment to traditional definitions of school and achievement?
Some education leaders are hedging their bets, keeping their traditional schools while at the same time creating separate spaces where new types of schools can emerge. As innovations are successful students and families will choose them in greater and greater numbers—eating at the system in just the same way as chartered schools have done.
We think it’s important to document what is occurring in these innovation zones. How are these zones operating, and what innovations are we seeing emerge in the roles of teachers, unions, and administration? In learning programs, in assessment, and in financing? EducationInnovating.org, and its parent site EducationEvolving.org are places where ideas about how best to evolve this large and vital system can be documented, discussed, and learned from.
We believe that it is possible to have an open, competitive, and dynamic education system within a wholly public, smartly regulated, and even unionized setting. Cities and states are beginning to show that this is possible.
As the blog progresses we invite you to provide input by commenting on the posts, or simply email us. It will feature weekly guest writers, reporting from around the country. As the movement evolves, we will be there to help provide a voice.
*Image: wnymedia.net
June 18, 2010 - 2:17pm
As a father, grandfather and recently diagnosed Asperger with ADD, the failure of schools to diagnose learning disabilities early has caused my family great frustration, anxiety and unfulfilled promise. My kids and I all performed 'adequately' in school, getting pretty good grades while 'faking' self confidence and struggling with many things, reading being the most profound.
Although I still 'don't play well with others', prescription drugs now allow me to read and concentrate productively. I can honestly say I enjoy reading for the first time in my life. What a difference it would have been to understandI I was wired differently all along. That I could feel comfortable and actually excel in certain endeavors. That it's wasn't just my lack of trying 'hard enough'!
Being uncomfortable in a persons skin for 90% of their life is a horrible waste. It's my belief everyone has learning disabilities, some greater and more life alterning than others. Identifying them early with the objective of understanding their effect on learning, on self esteem and productively is critical. It think many understand today that reversing their effect, that overcoming them is unlikely for many. It's been my experience, however, that understanding can be enough. That it can take an emotional weight off that allows the person to go after those things that are a good fit. Things they can be good at.
This assessment shouldn't be a big deal in our age of interactive, smart computers. Our goal must be to make it inexpensive. A simple correlation analysis comparing results from incoming kindergarteners with the results of the same test taken by a of a group kids with a variety of medically diagnosed learning disabilities should reveal a great deal.
Can we do something to get this done?
August 7, 2010 - 1:59pm
Kent, you sound like you are a very high-functioning person challenged with Asperger's. This, in and of itself, is such a victory. I was compelled to respond to your story here in part because of your particular struggle with reading (my professional area of interest) and because I have 2 extended family members with the same challenge. They are in their twenties and struggle every minute of every day. Unfortunately, they are not considered to be high-functioning.
For you to describe being "uncomfortable in a person's skin for 90% of their life, IS a horrible waste." I empathize and yet wonder how you have managed to be where you are today. If you are on this blog, you must be an educator.
I, for my part, work with gifted children and create tools for struggling readers of all ages. I hope my little contributions will help to lessen the diffulties of many students who daily struggle as you have for all of your life.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal experiences with a world that needs to learn how to help MUCH SOONER those children challenged with learning differences of all kinds. Their self-esteem and lives depend on it.
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