I believe most of you probably are already aware that the fundamental
already aware that the fundamental
already aware that the fundamental design of the American high school is
design of the American high school is
design of the American high school is well over a hundred years old and to
well over a hundred years old and to
well over a hundred years old and to this day has changed remarkably little
this day has changed remarkably little
this day has changed remarkably little which is a scary thought given how much
which is a scary thought given how much
which is a scary thought given how much everything else has changed it was
everything else has changed it was
everything else has changed it was designed at a time when we knew very
designed at a time when we knew very
designed at a time when we knew very little not much about teaching and
little not much about teaching and
little not much about teaching and learning late 1800s 1890s into the 1900s
learning late 1800s 1890s into the 1900s
learning late 1800s 1890s into the 1900s century ago it was designed at a time
century ago it was designed at a time
century ago it was designed at a time when very few teenagers actually even
when very few teenagers actually even
when very few teenagers actually even went to high school it was we developed
went to high school it was we developed
went to high school it was we developed and we ramped up
and we ramped up
and we ramped up they basically in an industrial
they basically in an industrial
they basically in an industrial revolution factory model of a secondary
revolution factory model of a secondary
revolution factory model of a secondary school system with the very noble aim
school system with the very noble aim
school system with the very noble aim the very noble aim of getting more of
the very noble aim of getting more of
the very noble aim of getting more of our teenagers into and through high
our teenagers into and through high
our teenagers into and through high school the design was based on
school the design was based on
school the design was based on efficiency cost and scale it was not
efficiency cost and scale it was not
efficiency cost and scale it was not based on sound educational practice it’s
based on sound educational practice it’s
based on sound educational practice it’s just true it was never a good system but
just true it was never a good system but
just true it was never a good system but in a different time it was tolerable it
in a different time it was tolerable it
in a different time it was tolerable it was tolerable in very different time
was tolerable in very different time
was tolerable in very different time when Bill Gates several years ago
when Bill Gates several years ago
when Bill Gates several years ago offered that the American high school
offered that the American high school
offered that the American high school was obsolete my only objection was that
was obsolete my only objection was that
was obsolete my only objection was that imply that there was a time when it
imply that there was a time when it
imply that there was a time when it wasn’t in the world we live in today the
wasn’t in the world we live in today the
wasn’t in the world we live in today the ever-changing nature of work the
ever-changing nature of work the
ever-changing nature of work the ever-changing nature of civic
ever-changing nature of civic
ever-changing nature of civic participation the new global economy
participation the new global economy
participation the new global economy which by the way is not new anymore so
which by the way is not new anymore so
which by the way is not new anymore so educators need to keep stop calling it
educators need to keep stop calling it
educators need to keep stop calling it that global communications global
that global communications global
that global communications global everything and not so much the nature of
everything and not so much the nature of
everything and not so much the nature of technology itself but the pace of the
technology itself but the pace of the
technology itself but the pace of the advancement of technology a system that
advancement of technology a system that
advancement of technology a system that was once tolerable is now horribly
was once tolerable is now horribly
was once tolerable is now horribly insufficient and we’ve known it for some
insufficient and we’ve known it for some
insufficient and we’ve known it for some time in 1983 the report a nation at risk
time in 1983 the report a nation at risk
time in 1983 the report a nation at risk commissioned by the president the United
commissioned by the president the United
commissioned by the president the United States offered this idea that if our
States offered this idea that if our
States offered this idea that if our educational system had been imposed upon
educational system had been imposed upon
educational system had been imposed upon us by a foreign power we would have
us by a foreign power we would have
us by a foreign power we would have considered it an act of war we have done
considered it an act of war we have done
considered it an act of war we have done a lot in the last twenty thirty years to
a lot in the last twenty thirty years to
a lot in the last twenty thirty years to make our secondary schools better
make our secondary schools better
make our secondary schools better unfortunately so much of what we’ve done
unfortunately so much of what we’ve done
unfortunately so much of what we’ve done has been aimed at improving the system
has been aimed at improving the system
has been aimed at improving the system not overhauling and read
not overhauling and read
not overhauling and read designing the system and the distinction
designing the system and the distinction
designing the system and the distinction is an absolutely critical one the
is an absolutely critical one the
is an absolutely critical one the metaphor is harsh but the time for
metaphor is harsh but the time for
metaphor is harsh but the time for rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic
rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic
rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic has long passed and never made any sense
has long passed and never made any sense
has long passed and never made any sense and for granted I’m one of those
and for granted I’m one of those
and for granted I’m one of those educators that was out there we’re doing
educators that was out there we’re doing
educators that was out there we’re doing a lot more than moving deck chairs
a lot more than moving deck chairs
a lot more than moving deck chairs around we’re moving all sorts of things
around we’re moving all sorts of things
around we’re moving all sorts of things around on the Titanic we need to get at
around on the Titanic we need to get at
around on the Titanic we need to get at the overall design we need to
the overall design we need to
the overall design we need to restructure and rethink some really big
restructure and rethink some really big
restructure and rethink some really big things that we haven’t tackled yet
things that we haven’t tackled yet
things that we haven’t tackled yet 15 million teenagers enrolled in our
15 million teenagers enrolled in our
15 million teenagers enrolled in our high schools most of them in school
high schools most of them in school
high schools most of them in school right now the overwhelming majority of
right now the overwhelming majority of
right now the overwhelming majority of them 90% plus are in public schools
them 90% plus are in public schools
them 90% plus are in public schools charter vocational magnet about seven or
charter vocational magnet about seven or
charter vocational magnet about seven or eight percent are in private schools
eight percent are in private schools
eight percent are in private schools most of those are actually Catholic
most of those are actually Catholic
most of those are actually Catholic schools the good news that we now have
schools the good news that we now have
schools the good news that we now have all of our kids going to high school
all of our kids going to high school
all of our kids going to high school which is awesome the bad news I would
which is awesome the bad news I would
which is awesome the bad news I would venture a guess and it’s a guess and
venture a guess and it’s a guess and
venture a guess and it’s a guess and it’s probably an optimistic one that
it’s probably an optimistic one that
it’s probably an optimistic one that probably no more than a few hundred of
probably no more than a few hundred of
probably no more than a few hundred of those high schools are actually breaking
those high schools are actually breaking
those high schools are actually breaking away from the hundred-year-old design
away from the hundred-year-old design
away from the hundred-year-old design that most of us are stuck in and they
that most of us are stuck in and they
that most of us are stuck in and they are serving a fraction of a percentage
are serving a fraction of a percentage
are serving a fraction of a percentage point of those 15 million students
point of those 15 million students
point of those 15 million students fortunately fortunately good
fortunately fortunately good
fortunately fortunately good hard-working dedicated kids supported by
hard-working dedicated kids supported by
hard-working dedicated kids supported by phenomenal teachers creative teachers
phenomenal teachers creative teachers
phenomenal teachers creative teachers doing things they’re not supposed to do
doing things they’re not supposed to do
doing things they’re not supposed to do oftentimes and loving parents are
oftentimes and loving parents are
oftentimes and loving parents are getting some good things out of this
getting some good things out of this
getting some good things out of this system there are good things happening
system there are good things happening
system there are good things happening absolutely but what we need to remember
absolutely but what we need to remember
absolutely but what we need to remember is they’re happening despite the way our
is they’re happening despite the way our
is they’re happening despite the way our schools are designed not because of the
schools are designed not because of the
schools are designed not because of the way our schools are designed imagine
way our schools are designed imagine
way our schools are designed imagine what would be possible if we could get
what would be possible if we could get
what would be possible if we could get the design right imagine what we would
the design right imagine what we would
the design right imagine what we would possible to get the design right so
possible to get the design right so
possible to get the design right so let’s be really clear about what we’re
let’s be really clear about what we’re
let’s be really clear about what we’re talking about here I believe there are
talking about here I believe there are
talking about here I believe there are five critical root core problems or
five critical root core problems or
five critical root core problems or solutions if you want to look at it that
solutions if you want to look at it that
solutions if you want to look at it that way with the design of the American high
way with the design of the American high
way with the design of the American high school these are the things that have to
school these are the things that have to
school these are the things that have to change these are the things that must
change these are the things that must
change these are the things that must change these are the things that will
change these are the things that will
change these are the things that will drive all kinds of powerful goods
drive all kinds of powerful goods
drive all kinds of powerful goods and these are the things that are hard
and these are the things that are hard
and these are the things that are hard to change the first four of these I
to change the first four of these I
to change the first four of these I think a lot of you are probably going to
think a lot of you are probably going to
think a lot of you are probably going to be familiar with and I’m going to run
be familiar with and I’m going to run
be familiar with and I’m going to run through them quickly the fifth I think
through them quickly the fifth I think
through them quickly the fifth I think is going to be new to you the problem
is going to be new to you the problem
is going to be new to you the problem may not be new but I think the solution
may not be new but I think the solution
may not be new but I think the solution will be it’s new to me and it’s the
will be it’s new to me and it’s the
will be it’s new to me and it’s the thing I’m most excited about talking
thing I’m most excited about talking
thing I’m most excited about talking with you about this morning so let’s
with you about this morning so let’s
with you about this morning so let’s begin number one we need to move from an
begin number one we need to move from an
begin number one we need to move from an instructional model that is dominated by
instructional model that is dominated by
instructional model that is dominated by delivery to one that is much more
delivery to one that is much more
delivery to one that is much more constructivist that doesn’t mean
constructivist that doesn’t mean
constructivist that doesn’t mean anything does it what does that mean it
anything does it what does that mean it
anything does it what does that mean it means we need to get less teachers at
means we need to get less teachers at
means we need to get less teachers at the center explaining things what I’m
the center explaining things what I’m
the center explaining things what I’m doing now less teachers at the center
doing now less teachers at the center
doing now less teachers at the center explaining things more students at the
explaining things more students at the
explaining things more students at the center figuring things out right
center figuring things out right
center figuring things out right creative thinking problem-solving more
creative thinking problem-solving more
creative thinking problem-solving more of those less memorization a lot of good
of those less memorization a lot of good
of those less memorization a lot of good stuff is happening on this one but
stuff is happening on this one but
stuff is happening on this one but unfortunately we’re running into all
unfortunately we’re running into all
unfortunately we’re running into all kinds of constraints and problems
kinds of constraints and problems
kinds of constraints and problems because everything’s tied together
because everything’s tied together
because everything’s tied together there’s a lot of things that are keeping
there’s a lot of things that are keeping
there’s a lot of things that are keeping us from getting as far as we should
us from getting as far as we should
us from getting as far as we should number two this one’s easy
number two this one’s easy
number two this one’s easy we need to move from a system that was
we need to move from a system that was
we need to move from a system that was designed for isolation to one that is
designed for isolation to one that is
designed for isolation to one that is designed for real world immersion
designed for real world immersion
designed for real world immersion apprenticeships internships field
apprenticeships internships field
apprenticeships internships field studies service work community projects
studies service work community projects
studies service work community projects at the heart of the curriculum built
at the heart of the curriculum built
at the heart of the curriculum built into the school day schedule the essence
into the school day schedule the essence
into the school day schedule the essence of what we do not at the edges which is
of what we do not at the edges which is
of what we do not at the edges which is often what we’re doing now our schools
often what we’re doing now our schools
often what we’re doing now our schools were designed at a time when adolescents
were designed at a time when adolescents
were designed at a time when adolescents were experienced rich and information
were experienced rich and information
were experienced rich and information poor today our kids are drowning in
poor today our kids are drowning in
poor today our kids are drowning in information and they are starving for
information and they are starving for
information and they are starving for real responsibility and for real
real responsibility and for real
real responsibility and for real experience number three we need to move
experience number three we need to move
experience number three we need to move from grading and assessment systems that
from grading and assessment systems that
from grading and assessment systems that are designed to rank and sort our
are designed to rank and sort our
are designed to rank and sort our students through a ridiculously
students through a ridiculously
students through a ridiculously complicated scoring system that we call
complicated scoring system that we call
complicated scoring system that we call the game of school and just frankly gets
the game of school and just frankly gets
the game of school and just frankly gets in the way of real learning so grading
in the way of real learning so grading
in the way of real learning so grading and assessment systems that are simpler
and assessment systems that are simpler
and assessment systems that are simpler directly connected to learning goals and
directly connected to learning goals and
directly connected to learning goals and they’re actually helpful in diagnostic
they’re actually helpful in diagnostic
they’re actually helpful in diagnostic ways to students and to teachers we only
ways to students and to teachers we only
ways to students and to teachers we only need three or four points on a grading
need three or four points on a grading
need three or four points on a grading scale that’s it
scale that’s it
scale that’s it three or four points the traditional a2f
three or four points the traditional a2f
three or four points the traditional a2f scale with pluses and minuses that’s
scale with pluses and minuses that’s
scale with pluses and minuses that’s thirteen points it’s not bad but it’s
thirteen points it’s not bad but it’s
thirteen points it’s not bad but it’s too many twelve of them are passing one
too many twelve of them are passing one
too many twelve of them are passing one of them’s failing the traditional
of them’s failing the traditional
of them’s failing the traditional percentage system zero to 100 you often
percentage system zero to 100 you often
percentage system zero to 100 you often see two decimal points with that one
see two decimal points with that one
see two decimal points with that one right when you go online to check your
right when you go online to check your
right when you go online to check your kids grades that’s a ten thousand point
kids grades that’s a ten thousand point
kids grades that’s a ten thousand point grading system five thousand nine
grading system five thousand nine
grading system five thousand nine hundred and ninety nine ways to fail
hundred and ninety nine ways to fail
hundred and ninety nine ways to fail makes no sense
makes no sense
makes no sense number four we need a system grounded in
number four we need a system grounded in
number four we need a system grounded in learning and achievement not time I
learning and achievement not time I
learning and achievement not time I think this one is the ultimate insult of
think this one is the ultimate insult of
think this one is the ultimate insult of the Industrial Revolution factory model
the Industrial Revolution factory model
the Industrial Revolution factory model grade nine grade ten grade eleven grade
grade nine grade ten grade eleven grade
grade nine grade ten grade eleven grade twelve four years done here’s your
twelve four years done here’s your
twelve four years done here’s your diploma if we actually believe that
diploma if we actually believe that
diploma if we actually believe that students should demonstrate that they’ve
students should demonstrate that they’ve
students should demonstrate that they’ve learned something to get credit in a
learned something to get credit in a
learned something to get credit in a course and there’s things they should
course and there’s things they should
course and there’s things they should know and be able to do and have learned
know and be able to do and have learned
know and be able to do and have learned in order to earn a diploma is it not
in order to earn a diploma is it not
in order to earn a diploma is it not insane
insane
insane to think that a high school full of
to think that a high school full of
to think that a high school full of teenagers who are all phenomenally
teenagers who are all phenomenally
teenagers who are all phenomenally different from one another are all gonna
different from one another are all gonna
different from one another are all gonna graduate at exactly the same time the
graduate at exactly the same time the
graduate at exactly the same time the the odd thing is there’s a tremendous
the odd thing is there’s a tremendous
the odd thing is there’s a tremendous amount of good work happening on this
amount of good work happening on this
amount of good work happening on this one in Maine and New Hampshire in
one in Maine and New Hampshire in
one in Maine and New Hampshire in particular around competencies and
particular around competencies and
particular around competencies and proficiencies of what it means to earn a
proficiencies of what it means to earn a
proficiencies of what it means to earn a credit and get away from seat time but
credit and get away from seat time but
credit and get away from seat time but nobody’s talking about the four-year
nobody’s talking about the four-year
nobody’s talking about the four-year assumption we’re stuck we’re absolutely
assumption we’re stuck we’re absolutely
assumption we’re stuck we’re absolutely stuck number five you can see probably
stuck number five you can see probably
stuck number five you can see probably that my convictions are pretty clear and
that my convictions are pretty clear and
that my convictions are pretty clear and pretty strong about the first four and
pretty strong about the first four and
pretty strong about the first four and there’s a lot of educators that share
there’s a lot of educators that share
there’s a lot of educators that share them what I’m about to get out is a
them what I’m about to get out is a
them what I’m about to get out is a little bit different it’s it’s thinking
little bit different it’s it’s thinking
little bit different it’s it’s thinking it’s a work in progress it’s rough and
it’s a work in progress it’s rough and
it’s a work in progress it’s rough and it’s really an invitation for you to
it’s really an invitation for you to
it’s really an invitation for you to kind of hopefully grapple with it maybe
kind of hopefully grapple with it maybe
kind of hopefully grapple with it maybe be inspired by it maybe we can figure
be inspired by it maybe we can figure
be inspired by it maybe we can figure this one out together okay so think
this one out together okay so think
this one out together okay so think about it before I get at it I want to
about it before I get at it I want to
about it before I get at it I want to say real quickly how I sort of stumbled
say real quickly how I sort of stumbled
say real quickly how I sort of stumbled into this idea for the better part of
into this idea for the better part of
into this idea for the better part of the past 25 years my work life has been
the past 25 years my work life has been
the past 25 years my work life has been high school high school high school what
high school high school high school what
high school high school high school what works in high school what doesn’t work
works in high school what doesn’t work
works in high school what doesn’t work in high schools high school teachers
in high schools high school teachers
in high schools high school teachers high school students parents of high
high school students parents of high
high school students parents of high school students high school this high
school students high school this high
school students high school this high school that high school I recently put
school that high school I recently put
school that high school I recently put myself on a sort of a self-imposed
myself on a sort of a self-imposed
myself on a sort of a self-imposed sabbatical of sorts and I’m reading and
sabbatical of sorts and I’m reading and
sabbatical of sorts and I’m reading and I’m writing and I’m thinking I’m
I’m writing and I’m thinking I’m
I’m writing and I’m thinking I’m learning about anthropology
learning about anthropology
learning about anthropology studying quantum physics um exploring
studying quantum physics um exploring
studying quantum physics um exploring the neuroscience of consciousness I am
the neuroscience of consciousness I am
the neuroscience of consciousness I am getting at root causes and looking at
getting at root causes and looking at
getting at root causes and looking at origins at essence and not surprisingly
origins at essence and not surprisingly
origins at essence and not surprisingly my focus has changed my perspective is
my focus has changed my perspective is
my focus has changed my perspective is bigger what a refreshing gift the world
bigger what a refreshing gift the world
bigger what a refreshing gift the world what matters in the world what’s wrong
what matters in the world what’s wrong
what matters in the world what’s wrong with the world the mystery the fragility
with the world the mystery the fragility
with the world the mystery the fragility of it all the beauty of it all the world
of it all the beauty of it all the world
of it all the beauty of it all the world the nature of it the mess of it
the nature of it the mess of it
the nature of it the mess of it what matters most so number five we need
what matters most so number five we need
what matters most so number five we need to move from a high school curriculum
to move from a high school curriculum
to move from a high school curriculum organized around academic disciplines to
organized around academic disciplines to
organized around academic disciplines to a high school curriculum organized
a high school curriculum organized
a high school curriculum organized around whatever makes it relevant
around whatever makes it relevant
around whatever makes it relevant engaging inspiring and purposeful in
engaging inspiring and purposeful in
engaging inspiring and purposeful in line with a vision for what high school
line with a vision for what high school
line with a vision for what high school really needs to be and in line for a
really needs to be and in line for a
really needs to be and in line for a better world in the future we need to
better world in the future we need to
better world in the future we need to organize the curriculum around what
organize the curriculum around what
organize the curriculum around what matters most we need to organize the
matters most we need to organize the
matters most we need to organize the curriculum around what matters most let
curriculum around what matters most let
curriculum around what matters most let me explain this is what we currently do
me explain this is what we currently do
me explain this is what we currently do this is how we organize the high school
this is how we organize the high school
this is how we organize the high school curriculum this happens to be from our
curriculum this happens to be from our
curriculum this happens to be from our local high school Portsmouth High School
local high school Portsmouth High School
local high school Portsmouth High School course catalog for the 2017-18 school
course catalog for the 2017-18 school
course catalog for the 2017-18 school year it’s called graduation requirements
year it’s called graduation requirements
year it’s called graduation requirements this is the way the curriculum is
this is the way the curriculum is
this is the way the curriculum is organized and this is the universal norm
organized and this is the universal norm
organized and this is the universal norm with some tweaking adjustments across
with some tweaking adjustments across
with some tweaking adjustments across this entire country this is the way we
this entire country this is the way we
this entire country this is the way we do it and it has been since the
do it and it has been since the
do it and it has been since the committee of 10 met in 92 1892 committee
committee of 10 met in 92 1892 committee
committee of 10 met in 92 1892 committee of 10 this is the norm but you’re
of 10 this is the norm but you’re
of 10 this is the norm but you’re probably thinking well duh and how else
probably thinking well duh and how else
probably thinking well duh and how else could we possibly do this well let’s
could we possibly do this well let’s
could we possibly do this well let’s think about this for a minute let’s
think about this for a minute let’s
think about this for a minute let’s think about this for a minute I believe
think about this for a minute I believe
think about this for a minute I believe because I spend a lot of time think
because I spend a lot of time think
because I spend a lot of time think about high school that if we could get
about high school that if we could get
about high school that if we could get people to come together kids parents
people to come together kids parents
people to come together kids parents students business leaders everybody and
students business leaders everybody and
students business leaders everybody and somehow erase from our heads kind of
somehow erase from our heads kind of
somehow erase from our heads kind of everything we know about high school
everything we know about high school
everything we know about high school because it’s drilled into our heads
because it’s drilled into our heads
because it’s drilled into our heads pretty well and sort of start with a
pretty well and sort of start with a
pretty well and sort of start with a conversation about what kids should know
conversation about what kids should know
conversation about what kids should know and be able to do and experience when
and be able to do and experience when
and be able to do and experience when they’re teenagers
they’re teenagers
they’re teenagers and kind of be thinking about the world
and kind of be thinking about the world
and kind of be thinking about the world and a better world and better people and
and a better world and better people and
and a better world and better people and then talk about what it should be I
then talk about what it should be I
then talk about what it should be I think would be something entirely
think would be something entirely
think would be something entirely different than what we have let me share
different than what we have let me share
different than what we have let me share with you in a very fast-paced manner
with you in a very fast-paced manner
with you in a very fast-paced manner don’t worry there won’t be a test on
don’t worry there won’t be a test on
don’t worry there won’t be a test on this I want to give you the gist so
this I want to give you the gist so
this I want to give you the gist so these are some of the things I’ve heard
these are some of the things I’ve heard
these are some of the things I’ve heard over the last 25 years working in high
over the last 25 years working in high
over the last 25 years working in high schools from parents from kids from
schools from parents from kids from
schools from parents from kids from community members forgive the pace hard
community members forgive the pace hard
community members forgive the pace hard work
work
work yes but work filled with relevance with
yes but work filled with relevance with
yes but work filled with relevance with purpose grades should be secondary not
purpose grades should be secondary not
purpose grades should be secondary not the primary focus real world experience
the primary focus real world experience
the primary focus real world experience real responsibility learning by doing
real responsibility learning by doing
real responsibility learning by doing learning how to solve problems thinking
learning how to solve problems thinking
learning how to solve problems thinking creatively puzzling things out inventing
creatively puzzling things out inventing
creatively puzzling things out inventing things less is more deeper learning not
things less is more deeper learning not
things less is more deeper learning not just passing tests and then forgetting
just passing tests and then forgetting
just passing tests and then forgetting at all high school graduates of
at all high school graduates of
at all high school graduates of character integrity and compassion
character integrity and compassion
character integrity and compassion honest responsible caring great should
honest responsible caring great should
honest responsible caring great should be helpful in diagnostic not just label
be helpful in diagnostic not just label
be helpful in diagnostic not just label slapped on our students before moving on
slapped on our students before moving on
slapped on our students before moving on that’s from a teacher persistence grit
that’s from a teacher persistence grit
that’s from a teacher persistence grit resilience over and over again
resilience over and over again
resilience over and over again understanding and celebrating diversity
understanding and celebrating diversity
understanding and celebrating diversity it is the world we live in environmental
it is the world we live in environmental
it is the world we live in environmental stewardship and understanding that this
stewardship and understanding that this
stewardship and understanding that this planet is our home
planet is our home
planet is our home high school diploma should really mean
high school diploma should really mean
high school diploma should really mean something not just four years of showing
something not just four years of showing
something not just four years of showing up students who know themselves their
up students who know themselves their
up students who know themselves their strengths their weaknesses their
strengths their weaknesses their
strengths their weaknesses their aspirations and know how to take care of
aspirations and know how to take care of
aspirations and know how to take care of themselves financial responsibility and
themselves financial responsibility and
themselves financial responsibility and understanding what it takes to make a
understanding what it takes to make a
understanding what it takes to make a living
living
living preparation to be thoughtful and engaged
preparation to be thoughtful and engaged
preparation to be thoughtful and engaged citizens and our nation’s participatory
citizens and our nation’s participatory
citizens and our nation’s participatory democracy that’s mine actually and one
democracy that’s mine actually and one
democracy that’s mine actually and one of my favorites one of my favorites all
of my favorites one of my favorites all
of my favorites one of my favorites all the wonderful things in the district
the wonderful things in the district
the wonderful things in the district mission statement right you with me
mission statement right you with me
mission statement right you with me about global citizenship critical
about global citizenship critical
about global citizenship critical thinking lifelong learners caring and
thinking lifelong learners caring and
thinking lifelong learners caring and compassionate people that doesn’t really
compassionate people that doesn’t really
compassionate people that doesn’t really seem to show up anywhere else those are
seem to show up anywhere else those are
seem to show up anywhere else those are the things I want for my kids and to be
the things I want for my kids and to be
the things I want for my kids and to be fair I’ve also heard along the way
fair I’ve also heard along the way
fair I’ve also heard along the way things like this life is hard unfair and
things like this life is hard unfair and
things like this life is hard unfair and filled with disappointment and a lot of
filled with disappointment and a lot of
filled with disappointment and a lot of crap high school should be the same
but I’m leaving those things out except
but I’m leaving those things out except for that one I am certain that we can do
for that one I am certain that we can do
for that one I am certain that we can do better than this I’m embarrassed it took
better than this I’m embarrassed it took
better than this I’m embarrassed it took me 25 years to get at it but not many
me 25 years to get at it but not many
me 25 years to get at it but not many people are talking about it this is a
people are talking about it this is a
people are talking about it this is a really good way to organize knowledge
really good way to organize knowledge
really good way to organize knowledge it’s a pretty good way to actually
it’s a pretty good way to actually
it’s a pretty good way to actually organize faculty as well it is a
organize faculty as well it is a
organize faculty as well it is a horrible way to organize a high school
horrible way to organize a high school
horrible way to organize a high school curriculum if your goal is engagement
curriculum if your goal is engagement
curriculum if your goal is engagement relevance and purpose if you care about
relevance and purpose if you care about
relevance and purpose if you care about the future so what can we do how about
the future so what can we do how about
the future so what can we do how about this
this
this this doesn’t overlay augment or
this doesn’t overlay augment or
this doesn’t overlay augment or complement what you just saw this
complement what you just saw this
complement what you just saw this replaces it what you just saw disappears
replaces it what you just saw disappears
replaces it what you just saw disappears three core strands one of them is care
three core strands one of them is care
three core strands one of them is care of yourself one of them is care of our
of yourself one of them is care of our
of yourself one of them is care of our planet the third is care of each other
planet the third is care of each other
planet the third is care of each other or getting along with one another and
or getting along with one another and
or getting along with one another and then a fourth foundational strand called
then a fourth foundational strand called
then a fourth foundational strand called finding your path right students
finding your path right students
finding your path right students graduate when they’ve met all the
graduate when they’ve met all the
graduate when they’ve met all the learning goals in each of the four
learning goals in each of the four
learning goals in each of the four strands and they’ve successfully
strands and they’ve successfully
strands and they’ve successfully completed a culminating project or
completed a culminating project or
completed a culminating project or thesis in each of the strands got it so
thesis in each of the strands got it so
thesis in each of the strands got it so let me give you another fast-paced quick
let me give you another fast-paced quick
let me give you another fast-paced quick look at what something like this might
look at what something like this might
look at what something like this might look like I have begun thanks to TEDx
look like I have begun thanks to TEDx
look like I have begun thanks to TEDx drafting a program of studies of sorts
drafting a program of studies of sorts
drafting a program of studies of sorts it’s about 13 pages long at this point
it’s about 13 pages long at this point
it’s about 13 pages long at this point so let me give you four quick things
so let me give you four quick things
so let me give you four quick things again there will be no test and forgive
again there will be no test and forgive
again there will be no test and forgive the pace so we have a couple pages of
the pace so we have a couple pages of
the pace so we have a couple pages of learning goals for each of the four
learning goals for each of the four
learning goals for each of the four strands numbering about 15 20 25 each
strands numbering about 15 20 25 each
strands numbering about 15 20 25 each first care of oneself mind/body/spirit
first care of oneself mind/body/spirit
first care of oneself mind/body/spirit the human body its evolution all its
the human body its evolution all its
the human body its evolution all its systems how to care for it the
systems how to care for it the
systems how to care for it the understanding of higher level needs such
understanding of higher level needs such
understanding of higher level needs such as love and connection so okay to talk
as love and connection so okay to talk
as love and connection so okay to talk about those things in high school well
about those things in high school well
about those things in high school well sometimes it’s not a good idea and very
sometimes it’s not a good idea and very
sometimes it’s not a good idea and very practical matters such as posture sleep
practical matters such as posture sleep
practical matters such as posture sleep sun protection safe driving an example
sun protection safe driving an example
sun protection safe driving an example of just one of the learning goals here’s
of just one of the learning goals here’s
of just one of the learning goals here’s one learning goal from that strand
one learning goal from that strand
one learning goal from that strand students will demonstrate an
students will demonstrate an
students will demonstrate an understanding of the human digestive
understanding of the human digestive
understanding of the human digestive system the latest science on proper
system the latest science on proper
system the latest science on proper nutrition nutrition and the history and
nutrition nutrition and the history and
nutrition nutrition and the history and evolution of the human diet from
evolution of the human diet from
evolution of the human diet from prehistory hunting and gas
prehistory hunting and gas
prehistory hunting and gas to the Agricultural Revolution and today
to the Agricultural Revolution and today
to the Agricultural Revolution and today students also conduct an analysis of
students also conduct an analysis of
students also conduct an analysis of their own diet and set goals for
their own diet and set goals for
their own diet and set goals for improvement measurable and clear another
improvement measurable and clear another
improvement measurable and clear another learning goal focuses on the anatomy and
learning goal focuses on the anatomy and
learning goal focuses on the anatomy and physiology of exercise others focus on
physiology of exercise others focus on
physiology of exercise others focus on the brain mental health stress disease
the brain mental health stress disease
the brain mental health stress disease causes prospective cures for cancers
causes prospective cures for cancers
causes prospective cures for cancers first aid CPR training a given looking
first aid CPR training a given looking
first aid CPR training a given looking over the goals in this strand it is rich
over the goals in this strand it is rich
over the goals in this strand it is rich in Sciences like biology and chemistry
in Sciences like biology and chemistry
in Sciences like biology and chemistry social sciences such as psychology lots
social sciences such as psychology lots
social sciences such as psychology lots of history and of course there’s a wide
of history and of course there’s a wide
of history and of course there’s a wide array of her literature that fits in
array of her literature that fits in
array of her literature that fits in this strand as is the case with all for
this strand as is the case with all for
this strand as is the case with all for a couple examples of culminating
a couple examples of culminating
a couple examples of culminating projects or theses in this strand a
projects or theses in this strand a
projects or theses in this strand a student with diabetes produces a
student with diabetes produces a
student with diabetes produces a research paper on finding a cure for the
research paper on finding a cure for the
research paper on finding a cure for the disease a student athlete conducts
disease a student athlete conducts
disease a student athlete conducts research on preventing and treating
research on preventing and treating
research on preventing and treating concussions and designs a new piece of
concussions and designs a new piece of
concussions and designs a new piece of equipment you get the idea I’ll say a
equipment you get the idea I’ll say a
equipment you get the idea I’ll say a couple things from just a few the other
couple things from just a few the other
couple things from just a few the other strands care of the planet understanding
strands care of the planet understanding
strands care of the planet understanding the world around us or home how we
the world around us or home how we
the world around us or home how we interact with a flora fauna ecosystems
interact with a flora fauna ecosystems
interact with a flora fauna ecosystems or local communities
or local communities
or local communities physics and chemistry all around us to
physics and chemistry all around us to
physics and chemistry all around us to the great expanse of cosmology and
the great expanse of cosmology and
the great expanse of cosmology and astronomy the history of our impact on
astronomy the history of our impact on
astronomy the history of our impact on the planets many species and hey here’s
the planets many species and hey here’s
the planets many species and hey here’s a real good example of a culminating
a real good example of a culminating
a real good example of a culminating project or thesis for this one how about
project or thesis for this one how about
project or thesis for this one how about a well researched position on climate
a well researched position on climate
a well researched position on climate change third strand care of one another
change third strand care of one another
change third strand care of one another getting along with one another there’s
getting along with one another there’s
getting along with one another there’s really kind of three types of learning
really kind of three types of learning
really kind of three types of learning goals in here I’m really excited about
goals in here I’m really excited about
goals in here I’m really excited about this one in particular a few of the
this one in particular a few of the
this one in particular a few of the goals are in the so-called soft skills
goals are in the so-called soft skills
goals are in the so-called soft skills area collaborating working with diverse
area collaborating working with diverse
area collaborating working with diverse context listening skills and such these
context listening skills and such these
context listening skills and such these things need to be taught and cultivated
things need to be taught and cultivated
things need to be taught and cultivated they just don’t happen number to several
they just don’t happen number to several
they just don’t happen number to several goals focused on better knowing one
goals focused on better knowing one
goals focused on better knowing one another exploring and understanding
another exploring and understanding
another exploring and understanding different cultures art religions in
different cultures art religions in
different cultures art religions in history we didn’t know about each other
history we didn’t know about each other
history we didn’t know about each other in order to get along with one another
in order to get along with one another
in order to get along with one another and the stories that make us who we are
and the stories that make us who we are
and the stories that make us who we are and then third an array of learning
and then third an array of learning
and then third an array of learning goals organized organized around the
goals organized organized around the
goals organized organized around the various systems we use to get along with
various systems we use to get along with
various systems we use to get along with one another economic governmental
one another economic governmental
one another economic governmental political legal judicial agriculture
political legal judicial agriculture
political legal judicial agriculture energy production health care so on
energy production health care so on
energy production health care so on pretty powerful stuff and the fourth
pretty powerful stuff and the fourth
pretty powerful stuff and the fourth strand knowing yourself you store your
strand knowing yourself you store your
strand knowing yourself you store your faith your strands to weaknesses your
faith your strands to weaknesses your
faith your strands to weaknesses your learning styles your values your
learning styles your values your
learning styles your values your priorities your budding passions
priorities your budding passions
priorities your budding passions beginning to sort out how you intend to
beginning to sort out how you intend to
beginning to sort out how you intend to live your life and your post-secondary
live your life and your post-secondary
live your life and your post-secondary plans this is the kind of stuff that
plans this is the kind of stuff that
plans this is the kind of stuff that usually goes into advise
usually goes into advise
usually goes into advise programs and counseling at the edges of
programs and counseling at the edges of
programs and counseling at the edges of what we do we’re talking about heart and
what we do we’re talking about heart and
what we do we’re talking about heart and soul of the curriculum this is part of
soul of the curriculum this is part of
soul of the curriculum this is part of what we do and a big focus of it built
what we do and a big focus of it built
what we do and a big focus of it built in graded assessed real work graduation
in graded assessed real work graduation
in graded assessed real work graduation requirements culminating projects in
requirements culminating projects in
requirements culminating projects in autobiography that hopefully you’ll work
autobiography that hopefully you’ll work
autobiography that hopefully you’ll work on for the rest of your life a work in
on for the rest of your life a work in
on for the rest of your life a work in progress that you continues to revise
progress that you continues to revise
progress that you continues to revise the courses are for the most part
the courses are for the most part
the courses are for the most part organized around problems in questions
organized around problems in questions
organized around problems in questions and each course is designed to meet six
and each course is designed to meet six
and each course is designed to meet six seven eight or so learning goals often
seven eight or so learning goals often
seven eight or so learning goals often spanning two or three of these strands
spanning two or three of these strands
spanning two or three of these strands classes are generally Co taught by two
classes are generally Co taught by two
classes are generally Co taught by two teachers each bringing with them two
teachers each bringing with them two
teachers each bringing with them two three or four areas of expertise not
three or four areas of expertise not
three or four areas of expertise not just one just a few examples of courses
just one just a few examples of courses
just one just a few examples of courses the origins of and solutions to the
the origins of and solutions to the
the origins of and solutions to the opioid crisis what is the ideal way to
opioid crisis what is the ideal way to
opioid crisis what is the ideal way to produce electricity is representative
produce electricity is representative
produce electricity is representative democracy the best form of government
democracy the best form of government
democracy the best form of government what is morality what our epics and
what is morality what our epics and
what is morality what our epics and where do they come from those are some
where do they come from those are some
where do they come from those are some examples of courses all the courses are
examples of courses all the courses are
examples of courses all the courses are designed to meet the various learning
designed to meet the various learning
designed to meet the various learning goals among the four strands and nothing
goals among the four strands and nothing
goals among the four strands and nothing else if it’s not a learning goal within
else if it’s not a learning goal within
else if it’s not a learning goal within the four strands it’s not part of the
the four strands it’s not part of the
the four strands it’s not part of the curriculum if it’s a critical scientific
curriculum if it’s a critical scientific
curriculum if it’s a critical scientific concept a critical aspect of local
concept a critical aspect of local
concept a critical aspect of local national human history or a fundamental
national human history or a fundamental
national human history or a fundamental math skill etc it’s built into the
math skill etc it’s built into the
math skill etc it’s built into the strands into the learning goals and into
strands into the learning goals and into
strands into the learning goals and into the courses but to be really clear we’re
the courses but to be really clear we’re
the courses but to be really clear we’re talking probably about half half not 80%
talking probably about half half not 80%
talking probably about half half not 80% we’re going about half the content and
we’re going about half the content and
we’re going about half the content and the typical high school is that a
the typical high school is that a
the typical high school is that a trade-off or a sacrifice no it is not
trade-off or a sacrifice no it is not
trade-off or a sacrifice no it is not because fast pace coverage exactly like
because fast pace coverage exactly like
because fast pace coverage exactly like I’m doing right now is not good teaching
I’m doing right now is not good teaching
I’m doing right now is not good teaching and it’s not how we learn it’s not how
and it’s not how we learn it’s not how
and it’s not how we learn it’s not how we learn we do things with depth and we
we learn we do things with depth and we
we learn we do things with depth and we do things with focus writing literacy
do things with focus writing literacy
do things with focus writing literacy broadly defined communication skills all
broadly defined communication skills all
broadly defined communication skills all integrated across the curriculum same
integrated across the curriculum same
integrated across the curriculum same goes for fundamental math skills
goes for fundamental math skills
goes for fundamental math skills numeracy the language of science all the
numeracy the language of science all the
numeracy the language of science all the way up until algebra and geometry higher
way up until algebra and geometry higher
way up until algebra and geometry higher level math is a tricky one so ask me
level math is a tricky one so ask me
level math is a tricky one so ask me about that during one of the breaks I’d
about that during one of the breaks I’d
about that during one of the breaks I’d be glad to talk with you about it same
be glad to talk with you about it same
be glad to talk with you about it same goes for proper use of technology
goes for proper use of technology
goes for proper use of technology integrated across the curriculum
integrated across the curriculum
integrated across the curriculum athletics done correctly focused on
athletics done correctly focused on
athletics done correctly focused on teamwork collaboration discipline and
teamwork collaboration discipline and
teamwork collaboration discipline and healthy exercise that’s perfectly and
healthy exercise that’s perfectly and
healthy exercise that’s perfectly and just to be clear students that are
just to be clear students that are
just to be clear students that are pursuing work not post-secondary
pursuing work not post-secondary
pursuing work not post-secondary education right after high school they
education right after high school they
education right after high school they still do this and
still do this and
still do this and do vocal or career training education
do vocal or career training education
do vocal or career training education stuff parallel to it not in place of
stuff parallel to it not in place of
stuff parallel to it not in place of this all of our kids need this and
this all of our kids need this and
this all of our kids need this and ideally if we commit ourselves to a
ideally if we commit ourselves to a
ideally if we commit ourselves to a foreign language and it’s ridiculous
foreign language and it’s ridiculous
foreign language and it’s ridiculous that we don’t in this country we’re
that we don’t in this country we’re
that we don’t in this country we’re missing the boat on it if we do it K to
missing the boat on it if we do it K to
missing the boat on it if we do it K to 8 and if we commit ourselves all to
8 and if we commit ourselves all to
8 and if we commit ourselves all to learning the same second language then
learning the same second language then
learning the same second language then it would actually be pretty Spanish
it would actually be pretty Spanish
it would actually be pretty Spanish might be a good choice then it would fit
might be a good choice then it would fit
might be a good choice then it would fit pretty well in a high school like this
pretty well in a high school like this
pretty well in a high school like this if we’re committed to not doing it early
if we’re committed to not doing it early
if we’re committed to not doing it early on and if we’re committed to choice
on and if we’re committed to choice
on and if we’re committed to choice because we’re Americans and we love
because we’re Americans and we love
because we’re Americans and we love choice and we want to be able to study
choice and we want to be able to study
choice and we want to be able to study Greek and German and French and Latin a
Greek and German and French and Latin a
Greek and German and French and Latin a whole lot of other things then it’s a
whole lot of other things then it’s a
whole lot of other things then it’s a little bit more troublesome so that was
little bit more troublesome so that was
little bit more troublesome so that was fast
fast
fast I hope it gave you a flavor for it it’s
I hope it gave you a flavor for it it’s
I hope it gave you a flavor for it it’s rough it’s preliminary and I hope it has
rough it’s preliminary and I hope it has
rough it’s preliminary and I hope it has you thinking I know if you’re paying
you thinking I know if you’re paying
you thinking I know if you’re paying attention you have questions and I hope
attention you have questions and I hope
attention you have questions and I hope you’ll ask them ask them of me ask them
you’ll ask them ask them of me ask them
you’ll ask them ask them of me ask them of someone I hope this gets you thinking
of someone I hope this gets you thinking
of someone I hope this gets you thinking about it and I’d be happy to be involved
about it and I’d be happy to be involved
about it and I’d be happy to be involved in those conversations ask me about
in those conversations ask me about
in those conversations ask me about money yes we can do this with current
money yes we can do this with current
money yes we can do this with current spending I figured that out and I’d be
spending I figured that out and I’d be
spending I figured that out and I’d be glad to share that with you ask me about
glad to share that with you ask me about
glad to share that with you ask me about teacher training that’s critical it’s
teacher training that’s critical it’s
teacher training that’s critical it’s absolutely critical that we rethink
absolutely critical that we rethink
absolutely critical that we rethink teacher training ask me why we haven’t
teacher training ask me why we haven’t
teacher training ask me why we haven’t gotten further in the last 20 or 30
gotten further in the last 20 or 30
gotten further in the last 20 or 30 years I don’t know I have a lot of
years I don’t know I have a lot of
years I don’t know I have a lot of thoughts and ideas about it but I have
thoughts and ideas about it but I have
thoughts and ideas about it but I have no easy answers I will tell you that
no easy answers I will tell you that
no easy answers I will tell you that leadership is absolutely critical
leadership is absolutely critical
leadership is absolutely critical leadership is absolutely critical we
leadership is absolutely critical we
leadership is absolutely critical we need smart courageous and visionary high
need smart courageous and visionary high
need smart courageous and visionary high school principals and superintendents so
school principals and superintendents so
school principals and superintendents so if you are one be those things if you’re
if you are one be those things if you’re
if you are one be those things if you’re not a principal or superintendent demand
not a principal or superintendent demand
not a principal or superintendent demand those things it’s a good place to start
those things it’s a good place to start
those things it’s a good place to start the world is a bit of a mess the world
the world is a bit of a mess the world
the world is a bit of a mess the world is a bit of a mess and I believe quite
is a bit of a mess and I believe quite
is a bit of a mess and I believe quite biased that high school is probably the
biased that high school is probably the
biased that high school is probably the answer I think we’ve forgotten that how
answer I think we’ve forgotten that how
answer I think we’ve forgotten that how we educate our kids when they go from
we educate our kids when they go from
we educate our kids when they go from being adolescence to young adults all of
being adolescence to young adults all of
being adolescence to young adults all of them it’s absolutely essential I believe
them it’s absolutely essential I believe
them it’s absolutely essential I believe to our future but we are stuck we are
to our future but we are stuck we are
to our future but we are stuck we are really really stuck we’re hundred years
really really stuck we’re hundred years
really really stuck we’re hundred years stuck and we need to get unstuck Robert
stuck and we need to get unstuck Robert
stuck and we need to get unstuck Robert Pearson
Pearson
Pearson this is how I’ll end Robert Pearson
this is how I’ll end Robert Pearson
this is how I’ll end Robert Pearson writes about it he calls it value
writes about it he calls it value
writes about it he calls it value rigidity the most striking example of
rigidity the most striking example of
rigidity the most striking example of value rigidity is the old South Indian
value rigidity is the old South Indian
value rigidity is the old South Indian monkey trap the trap consists of a
monkey trap the trap consists of a
monkey trap the trap consists of a hollowed-out coconut chained to a stake
hollowed-out coconut chained to a stake
hollowed-out coconut chained to a stake the coconut has some rice inside which
the coconut has some rice inside which
the coconut has some rice inside which can be grabbed to a small hole the hole
can be grabbed to a small hole the hole
can be grabbed to a small hole the hole is big enough so the monkey’s hand can
is big enough so the monkey’s hand can
is big enough so the monkey’s hand can go in but too small for his fist with
go in but too small for his fist with
go in but too small for his fist with the rice in it to come out
the rice in it to come out
the rice in it to come out the monkey reaches in and is suddenly
the monkey reaches in and is suddenly
the monkey reaches in and is suddenly trapped by nothing more than his own
trapped by nothing more than his own
trapped by nothing more than his own value rigidity
value rigidity
value rigidity he can’t revalue the rice he can’t see
he can’t revalue the rice he can’t see
he can’t revalue the rice he can’t see the freedom without rice is more
the freedom without rice is more
the freedom without rice is more valuable what general advice should we
valuable what general advice should we
valuable what general advice should we give the poor monkey well the monkey
give the poor monkey well the monkey
give the poor monkey well the monkey should somehow try to slow down
should somehow try to slow down
should somehow try to slow down deliberately and go over a ground that
deliberately and go over a ground that
deliberately and go over a ground that he has been over before and see if
he has been over before and see if
he has been over before and see if things he thought were important really
things he thought were important really
things he thought were important really were important and well stop yanking and
were important and well stop yanking and
were important and well stop yanking and just stare at the coconut for a while
just stare at the coconut for a while
just stare at the coconut for a while please thank you
please thank you
please thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment