"These are all our children, and we will benefit by or pay for what they become." --James Baldwin
As we move from NCLB to CCSS I am struck by one thought: What is our country doing to ensure that all students can and will learn? NCLB set lofty goals for all students to become proficient by 2014. It sounds good, right? All students will be proficient. We all want this and yet, sadly, it's not realistic. Especially without safety nets in place. I think these safety nets come from each of the areas Darling-Hammond describes in her final chapter of The Flat World of Education:
- Meaningful learning goals
- Intelligent, reciprocal accountability systems
- Equitable and adequate resources
- Strong professional standards and supports
- Schools organized for student and teacher learning
If I were left alone to develop the best education system I could I would start by looking at countries with working educational systems, like: Finland, Sweden, and Australia. I would backwards map from what I want students to be able to do (read: performance based) and generate lessons based on the discreet skills students need to succeed. I would bring in the best and brightest educators and ensure ways for them to feel supported and valued. I would be a life-long learner. I would not teach to the test.
The children of today will be taking care of us tomorrow. They ALL play a role in our future. We need to be sure we give them the tools they need to take care of us and lead a better life than we could ever have imagined for them.