Correct-our-alum: A holistic outlook of curriculum and liberal education!

Say it with me 2X, "Correct-our-alum!"

If there's anything you need to know about the field of education, it is to get used to saying the same things over and over! And as frustrating as it could be, it is absolutely necessary! We need the constant reminders.

If you are true to this and not new to this like me, you know that repetition aka drilling is key in education. Repetition is one of the ways that we learn how to retain information within our long-term memory. Learning is the key to educating ourselves on becoming informed consumers and producers and making sound decisions and choices. Otherwise, life could be a double-edged sword without proper knowledge. The good news is There's a proper way to go about being or doing anything while having fun with it. However, we also know this work is not for the weak but is for those with an inextinguishable passion and indispensable hope for the future. It takes a very strong and caring individual like yourself.

Educators care because they care for themselves, and when you care about yourself, you care about others. So, you may have already seen these matters brought up somewhere or you may have even thought about them or advocated in favor of them yourself. Either way, we must continue having these conversations, so that we don't become complacent when it comes to ensuring that all students receive the best and highest quality education possible to prepare them for a fulfilling livelihood. That student could have easily been you.

And if that student was you or someone you know, you might have asked at some point, "Are we properly preparing our youth for life during and after school?" Well, if we know anything else, we know that numbers don't lie for the most part and if we look around, that will be all we need to answer that question. But for the record, let's look at the rates and pipelines:

• High school dropout rates: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 2.1 million who were not enrolled in school and have not earned a high school diploma as of 2022 in the USA.
• School-to-prison pipeline: This is very relevant because if they're not in the schools, then they're in the streets. And if they're in the streets, they can be out here doing anything. We must address the implications that our school systems have within the justice system. According to academic research, there's a direct correlation between lower attendance and/or literacy, stricter discipline, and suspensions with an increase in crime and arrest rates.
• College-career pipeline: According to a survey by LendEDU, less than half of all college graduates are confident about obtaining career placements as of 2023. More graduates are reporting having a hard time finding employment after college. The job market is tough everywhere, especially for those who might be perceived as underqualified due to experience or overqualified due to pay scales for their levels of education.

How can we counter these pipelines with more effective pipelines to funnel them back in the right direction:

• STEM pipeline: Thinking about the technicality of it all, scientists, doctors, technologists, engineers, mathematicians, plus educators to teach these fields in academia will always be needed. Artificial intelligence or AI, which is an enhancement of human intelligence, will always require oversight. It's like giving a student a calculator. They still must know how to use the calculator.
• A career-to-technical education pipeline: According to K12.com, 90 percent of Americans believe career and technical education (CTE) should be offered in high schools. CTE includes technical, vocational training, and trades, which spans many different clusters.
• Diverse educator pipeline: I don't believe in "race," and science will tell you why. However, I do know the importance of having someone around who relates. For this reason, schools need to have diversified ratios of staff and faculty that match and reflect their student's populations, backgrounds, and demographics. Students need to know that if one person can do it, they can do it too.

I always say that education starts at home, in immediate environments, parents, and school systems. Let's make sure us educators are playing our role in the field of education. Something must be done and this calls for an immediate call to action—a transformative call to reform our curriculums, training paradigms, frameworks, and approaches for the betterment of the society we are all in. This is our clarion call to shape a future where education resonates deeply with innovation, equipping learners not just with knowledge, but with the dynamic skills to live and thrive in an ever-evolving world. Here is a holistic take on how the education system should be and what it should look like:

Training paradigm and implementation tips:

1) All faculty and staff should be required to be trauma-informed. Life goes on beyond the schools, so we all must be aware of those who are coming from impoverished, underrepresented, and underserved communities, as well as its further implications, which can shape how we deal with and view our students for the better. This can consist of regular professional development sessions on the topic or required certification course/training workshop.

2) All schools should incorporate Restorative Justice practices into their disciplinary action for a multitude of reasons. The first and foremost reason is to build healthier relationships with students. Also, to help them positively redirect their behaviors in ways that are conducive to their academic success.

3) Incentivized programs like PBIS. Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool to keep students engaged in their learning. Students are in training, so punishing them for every mistake will turn out to be counterproductive when it comes to them being fully invested and interested in learning. However, rewarding them whenever they do what is expected or beyond what is expected is the true hidden gem that some schools are missing for an enriching and motivating experience. It's like a pat on the back to let them know, to keep doing what you're doing!

Curriculum reformation and further tips:

1. Courses that should be introduced into curriculums as a requirement, as soon as possible: Self-discovery through personality tests and other self-assessments, communications, urban economics, financial literacy, mentorship/tutorship, social-emotional learning, sex education, parenting, integrative science, and CPR.
2. Experiential learning strategies: Student-led seminars, community panels, field trips, interactive workshops, trivia, polls, and other activities.
3. To be encouraged: Open-ended questions for discovery while avoiding response and question biases, alternative dispute resolution for possible conflicts, open dialogue and communication for critical conversations, fellowships, critical thinkers, and mentorship.
4. Overvalue our staff and faculty: Staff and faculty play a tremendous role that is often overlooked in shaping the world's current and subsequent generations. However, they are not always appreciated as they should be. We can do so much more to ensure this is not the case. This can be in the form of consistent team-building activities, regular promotions or pay raises, fundraisers for school supplies, etc.

In today's evolving educational landscape, liberal education pioneers innovative pathways and progressive pedagogical approaches, including experiential learning. It challenges outdated and conventional norms that are failing our youth while creating proactive environments of creativity, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary exploration. More than just acquiring knowledge, it cultivates resilient minds who are prepared to navigate future challenges and obstacles with clarity, adaptability, and depth where they are not only informed, but inspired. By embracing diverse methodologies, liberal education propels learning forward, equipping students to excel, personally and professionally, in a rapidly changing world where change is the only constant guarantee.

While repetition is a first step, retention through ongoing education is the next step. We must ensure that history does not repeat itself so that we do not have to go through the same cycles. Therefore, we must be historically aware of the contexts to understand why representation and awareness are important. That is why I challenge you to share in the comments any resources or organizations that you know who are already doing this work. Let's bridge those gaps and get our alumni back on the right track. I will start first!