Do schools stink? What should schools quit doing right now?
I’m not so sure that schools stink … I think we do a lot of things well in education. However, I know that we can do a lot better.
I have been reading Tools of Titans recently since I am a huge fan of the Tim Ferriss podcast.
One of the chapters in the book features James Altucher. I found his take on creativity and lists quite interesting, and that is the inspiration for this post (and I hope for many more like it in the future).
This is a thought experiment in some respects. The question, “What should schools stop doing right now?” I think is an interesting one and I thought it would be fun to explore through a list of 10.
So here we go …
10 things schools should quit doing right now.
Below is my answer to the question “What should schools quit doing right now?” I will list the 10 ideas and offer a very brief comment behind each idea. Feel free to add your own ideas in the comments below.
1. Standardized tests.
Johnny is smarter than Susy, but not quite as smart as Miriam. Great! Now that we have sorted out all our kids we can pat ourselves on the back and head home for a job well done.
Solution = curriculum designed with student interests in mind and use of portfolios.
2. Exhaustive teacher evaluation.
Checklists aren’t a good enough measure for teacher evaluation. Now many districts have moved toward Charlotte Danielson. This type of rubric is too far of a correction to the checklist. It is so detailed I think it actually becomes ineffective and exhausting for both admin and teachers to use as a tool.
Solution = build relationships with teachers and hold them accountable to self-selected goals.
3. Serving terrible lunches.
Would you eat what is served in your school’s cafeteria regularly?
Solution = serve something exciting and healthy to students.
4. Giving homework.
Just because you did homework in school isn’t a good reason to assign it. Too often homework is busy work and not meaningful. Homework infringes on students ability to develop other necessary life-skills and plainly enjoy life outside of school. If they don’t give homework in Finland, then why do we?
5. Keep a standard 8 period day and focus on minutes and seat time.
Solution = create flexible class periods that are aligned, fluid, and project-based (authentic).
If you are enjoying this list, then you’ll love what I send each Sunday in the Weekend Resource.
6. Detention and Suspension as a go-to “consequence” for undesirable choices.
Serving detentions and suspensions doesn’t teach a kid anything (other than “bad” kids get punished). When is the last time Charlie got a detention for talking and stopped talking a week later because of that punishment?
Exactly.
Solution = Restorative practices and mindfulness.
7. Teaching in isolation.
I’m worse off as a leader if I lead in isolation. The same is true for teachers. We know that 2 minds are better than 1, so we should organize schools in this way too. I also think it helps from a community point of view … two students taking the same class from two different teachers shouldn’t have a drastically different experience. There should be some alignment within the curriculim.
Solution = Professional Learning Communities.
8. Low-level work that could be found in a quick Google search.
Stop asking students to do what they can just look up. Help them solve interesting problems and understand how to evaluate materials.
Solution = Read Stop Stealing Dreams by Seth Godin or my book which I think of as Stop Stealing Dreams 2.0
9. Cutting art programs.
My favorite part of school was band and choir. I loved to draw. My other favorite part of school was socializing – making friends and talking to girls. Why do we cut these opportunities for our children? Art and socialization produces better human beings. It makes school fun and interesting. I don’t remember anything I learned in Calculus AB, nor do I think I use it on a daily basis (I could substitute just about any class for Calc).
Solution = Grow arts programs and create more spaces/times for students (and faculty for that matter) to connect.
10. Getting rid of recess.
Way to go USA … we have the most overweight adults in the world according to the World Health Organization. By cutting recess, PE, and serving terrible lunches (without teaching kids the proper way to eat) it is no wonder!
Solution = expand recess.
If you are enjoying this list, then you’ll love what I send each Sunday in the Weekend Resource.
My key takeaway …
Really what it comes down to is that schools need to stop operating so traditionally. Collectively, we need to break out of the mold of how things have always been done.
They say the definition of insanity is expecting a different result after doing the same thing over and over again. So why do we do the same things in schools expecting a different outcome?
Where is the innovation?
And I mean where is the innovation in school districts? Not just districts that use the idea of innovation as a buzz-word, but districts and schools that really truly live this out (High Tech High is a good example). This interview with Kyle Wagner will help you on this topic.
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Any other solutions?
Of course!
A question like, “What do schools need to stop doing to improve?” is an example of what we talk about on a weekly basis in a safe environment to discuss ideas to push education forward.
My masterminds are a hybrid group coaching and leadership development community.
Leadership can be lonely and if you are looking to surround yourself with a community of leaders hungry to get better, then I really think you should consider joining. You can join by clicking on the link above.
What do you think?
Below are some ideas that people I’m connected to on Instagram shared. I asked them what they would add to the list of what schools should quit doing right now. Here is what they said …
Shaelynn Farnsworth: stop ability grouping.
Stephanie Zeeppetito: improving instead of isolating
Dan Kreiness: stop teacher isolation
Nick Howard: stop giving ISS for tardies.
Learn Forward: Stop using carrots and sticks with students, teachers, and administrators. Encourage! Encourage! Encourage!
Matthew Arend: Staff meetings to disseminate information that can be shared other ways.
Julie Masraff: As a former teacher, I did not like the standardized test regime and as a parent: even more so!! I do not even open the envelope when it comes home! It drives me crazy!! My two cents.
Dr. Triplett: Differentiate learning opportunities for teachers.
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