Solutions anyone?

Hello!

Today in class, my classmates and I shared our reflections from our experience in Denver. From the sounds of it, we all learned a ton and now have a better understanding of what innovation in the public education system looks like. We also had a chance to read over Diane Ravitch's proposed solutions to some of the concerns of "innovation" in education.

http://www.leadkc.com/start-stop-continue-feedback-model/

Over the course of her book, Reign of Error, Ravitch stresses the importance of addressing the issue of poverty before fixing schools. As I saw during my two weeks in Denver, poverty is a very real issue in the education system and is left to be dealt with by individual schools. Being an issue too large for anyone to "fix," I really agreed with Ravitch's solution of providing prenatal care for all women and serving disadvantaged families with wraparound services (Ravitch, 2013). I think, for right now, this is the most reasonable solution; to start preventing gaps between impoverished students and their counterparts rather than try to eliminate poverty as a whole. From there, I think it is necessary to find ways to strengthen ALL students' learning by individualizing education experiences like having smaller class sizes, integrating classrooms, and giving children the option to choose how they best learn (work-at-your-own-pace systems, experiential learning, etc). Although not too sure on how this would be best implemented, I think evaluating the "Choice" system and making it easier to access would ensure that students would be able to choose which school is best for their learning. This, of course, would need to be followed with educating parents and students on the benefits and challenges each school provides. Once a child is in the "right" school for them, let the learning begin! Ideally, I, like Ravitch, think all schools should provide an enriched, balanced liberal arts curriculum and assess learning based on non-cognitive skills and full understanding of subjects, not just how well students can absorb and regurgitate information (Ravitch, 2013). I think these are some of the best ways to narrow achievement gaps, provide equal educational opportunity, and ensure social equity. However, this can't happen until systemic change happens.

http://www.reddingeducationfoundation.org/grants.asp

Ultimately, none of these solutions can happen until systemic change. And that isn't happening.

Although it would be ideal to have local stakeholders on the board serving schools and being the chief decision makers, as they know what's best for the schools, that isn't happening. Unfortunately, I don't know that this is ever going to change. Even with innovation on the forefront and revamping the way we think about education, the system hasn't changed and thus, has proven it will continue to stand strong. That, in my opinion, is what's hindering the full success of schools under innovation. I also think the higher-ups in the system are what's stopping the profession of teaching from being valued and professionalized. Although Ravitch suggests "overthrowing" the big-wigs and regaining custody of what's ours, I don't know that this is something that can or will ever happen successfully.

Although this is somewhat discouraging, I think it is still possible to have innovation in education, especially in the classroom- which is where it effects students the most. Under constraint and restrictions from the political authorities of the system, schools have to get creative and find ways to do what is best for their students. It is possible to maneuver around the "cant"s and find ways to serve students successfully. It isn't easy, but it is worth it. The results may be small scale, but that's okay- the innovative practices will be helping a certain community, which is all it is intended to do.

Over the course of these past two weeks, I think the most important thing I've learned is you have to be okay with messiness and things that are not ideal. You have to just try your best with what you've got and hope for the best! No matter what, you have to keep moving forward. I think this is the only way education will continue to thrive.

I look forward to learning more about what I can do to make a difference in the system and where my place is in this "messy" field!


Acelynn

Ravitch, D. (2013). Reign of error: The hoax of the privatization movement and the danger to America's public schools (First edition.). New York: Alfred A. Knopf.