Addressing the Growing Discontent with American Education

As districts plan for the upcoming school year, The Growing Discontent With American Education, an article in the February 21, 2024 issue of Forbes, is worth considering. The article proposes the need for 'new ‘north stars’ or metrics for which to aim' and 'national measures of student engagement, exposure to experiential education or work-integrated learning' to better engage our students and counter the negative trend in perception toward public education. These efforts, far from being mere add-ons to traditional school models, have the potential to revitalize our approach to education, offering broader relevance and experiences to students. While electives, dual enrollment classes, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have been successful for students enrolled in such courses, they are just the beginning of a much-needed shift in our educational paradigm.??

If the cause of discontent with public education is that “education isn’t exciting, engaging or relevant for far too many students,” then solutions must focus on increasing student relevance and engagement as a core value of each school and for every student. There are tried-and-true models of success, often referred to as School 2.0, that are worthy of close examination.??

One such school is the Science Leadership Academy (SLA) in Philadelphia, an “inquiry-driven, project-based college-preparatory high school focused on 21st-century learning.”? Each student in this public high school has an Individualized Learning Plan and access to different learning pathways, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) and dual enrollment courses offered through local universities.??

The school website states, “Students at SLA learn in a technology-infused, project-based environment where the core values of inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection are emphasized in all classes.”? This structure, along with non-traditional schedules, expansive course selections, and internships of 2-3 hours each week, is worth examining by parents, schools, and state departments of education as they work to pivot to a more purposeful and engaging experience for our children.?

Tracking relevant data around such endeavors can accelerate the rate of change and provide a means for well-informed decisions.

#education #studentengagement #CTE #educationleadership