Delivery of Education Could Be Improved

By Peter Herman, VBSA President

 

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Last month a group of the VSBA board members completed work on a document dealing with how schools might improve student learning. We called it the Delivery Proposal for want of a better title and because it deals with the “delivery” of learning opportunities to our primary customers, our students. At its annual retreat the full VSBA board discussed the document and voted to send it out to all registrants for the regional meetings as an interesting set of ideas for changing how our schools currently work. The board did not endorse the proposal, but did think that it had enough merit to warrant further review by the membership. 

 

The essence of the proposal is that our students have major untapped potentials that should be accessed, and the best way to do that is to focus on areas they are at least interested in, and perhaps passionate about.  This can be best accomplished by giving students the freedom to choose these areas of study and by making the adults involved with their education – teachers, parents, employers, the community in general – coaches and mentors who will assist, rather than direct, young people in their search for learning.  There is a set of basic skills that all functioning adults in 21st Century America should know and/or be able to do, and this proposal recognizes and honors that.  But it is also true that most people learn much of the more advanced information by working on something that truly holds their interest, whether that be quantum physics, psychotherapy, or breeding cows.

 

In terms of structure, the proposal makes some radical suggestions for changes in how schools operate, including freeing up students to get their learning on their own or from people who are not officially part of the education team.  Expectations and structure varies according to the age of the student, but even the very young are expected to take some responsibility for their learning. At the high school age level every student will develop and thoroughly research a topic of interest to them, and that may take up the bulk of their time. High quality, trained adults as mentors are critical at this stage, and so teachers may have to develop a whole new set of skills.

 

Concerns have been expressed about special needs students, and it is probably true that some who fall into this category will need more attention and direction.  But for many who are categorized as special in the current system because they are unable to follow directions, sit quietly, etc., a more open environment where they can focus on topics of real interest to them may be an antidote.

 

Speaking for the Delivery Group, we want all VSBA members to be aware of this proposal and to comment on and/or critique it. All of the Regional Meetings will feature a discussion of the document, and we hope those who attend will be informed about it and come with questions and issues.