So I signed up for, and officially missed, the national Blogging for Education Day--November 22. But I figure any day is a good day for blogging about education, so here I go.
The problem is, as usual, where to begin. I have so many problems with our current education system--and yet I feel so strongly about championing the teachers and administrators who continue to try to improve it, against all odds. It's not that anyone involved is party to its complete failure; there are some--many--great people trying to make it work. It's just that I think it's a hopeless cause.
I've had some very good friends argue that we are, generally, succeeding at providing education for the masses. In some respects, they can make their argument, but it is primarily centered around their own experiences. Likewise, my own opinion is centered around my experiences.
My experience: being too smart far too young. I was a July birthday, then I skipped Kindergarten, and did Matteo Ricci--graduating high school and college with a B.A. in six years rather than eight. I never fit in. Although I was challenged academically, the difference in my intellectual abilities and emotional maturity were marked.
My husband's experience: being smart, but not "book smart." Jim grew up thinking he wasn't very smart because he was a visual learner in an auditory environment. When you need to see it, and all people are doing is talking to you--good luck with that. Thank God he was a hard worker and persevered despite the challenge. A small adjustment would've shown him how smart he truly is.
My oldest son's experience: near genius IQ, barely passing grades. ADHD makes it challenging for him (mine went undiagnosed until adulthood). Despite mastering the content, if he doesn't jump through the academic hoops, his grades have never reflected his intelligence. Once again (like Jim), a kid who feels not smart because of grades that don't reflect his intelligence or value.
My youngest son's experience: so observant, so in touch, yet so turned off to learning and school. A perfect candidate for project-based learning, he wants to see the correlation between theory and reality. He can manage his own work, can be self-motivated, and is capable of great work--but is frustrated by being "talked down to" and not having his ideas respected in a traditional classroom. A highly intelligent kid who is bored.
So, four great minds, capable of great thoughts, great plans--yet what has our school system done to support us? To encourage creativity? To teach concepts in ways that we might understand? We are, I think, pretty indicative of how we are failing kids. Sure, we may be providing a basic education, but if you have ANY challenges--good or bad--you have to figure out your own way. As an adult educator, I know that we have known for years about different learning styles, yet we are still teaching kids as if we are preparing them for an Industrial Age. The fact is, the Information Age is far different, and requires different skills and abilities.
I, for one, don't have any confidence, whatsoever that our current system can change enough to meet the current and future needs of our children, and our country. It's why I've always advocated for charter schools. And, while the opponents of charter will show you statistics that they "don't work," the fact is there are plenty that do. Every day that we spend trying to turn the Titanic is a day another child drowns in the frigid waters of our current system. Let's look for new, innovate solutions, reward teachers who use innovation to achieve success, and train teachers and administrators to set up schools that will educate ALL of our kids for the 21st Century and beyond.
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