EdCafe Takeaway

Geoffrey Canada: There's an Educational Cliff we are Walking Off Right Now

The conundrum in education is that we all know that what we do is not the most effective or efficient way to get to our end goal, yet most are too scared to try something new for fearing of failing an entire generation of children.  The irony is that we are already failing many students by keeping things the same.

I like to think that here in Yarmouth, and at Rowe School in particular, we do a pretty good job of ensuring that kids don't fall through the cracks.  We drag some students along from beginning to end, reminding them every step of the way that they can do this and that we won't let them fail.  I wonder, though, if we are truly doing them any favors.  I look at some children and know that they will have a difficult time in school, but will be a success in life.  That's not fair.  Our job should be, and ultimately is, to find the best way for each child to learn.  For some of our students that will look very much like our classrooms look today.  For others the path may look very different.

I think the big takeaway for me is always looking at my classroom through the eyes of the students.  What choices can I give them to make learning their own?  How can I structure my classroom to give children support when then need it and let them take off with their own interests?  How can I move learning beyond the walls of my classroom?  The answer in all of this is choice-letting go of some control and knowing that the students are the most powerful factors in determining the best course for their education.