This post was inspired by the writings of Gerald Weinand and Bruce Bourgoine at Dirigo Blue. I'd like to thank them both for continuing the debate.
Not only should Maine's education system continue to evolve, it must continue to evolve. Our education system is still functioning on a Industrial Era model. We continue to question why are kids leave school unprepared and/or uninterested in learning. The answer is right in front of us. Our schools are preparing them to work in factories settings. RING math time RING science RING eat RING english. If we want to equip our children for the way our new world works this has to stop. Learning, as life, should happen outside of the microcosm. There are opportunities to learn about all the Rs integrated in almost every subject. The world is moving toward a workplace that requires inventive problem solving. To compete in a global economy our children will need to leverage one of America's greatest assets; creativity. Why can't our education system do the same?
I have argued that money does not make education, schools should be adequately funded. I don't think anyone can argue that our schools don't require at least a certain level of funding, though we could debate what that is. Still in public education, arguments tend to center around this issue, left or right. We're missing the point. The money argument needs to be tabled until we can solve other critical issues. I cannot stress enough how we need to fundamentally rethink how we deliver knowledge at every level.
You want to talk about increasing efficiency? I'll hit you with some efficiencies. I tell the following story a lot. It illustrates a good point. A teacher friend of mine suggested that he teach the same class for their entire time at his school, instead of shuffling them along year after year. He spends most of the year getting to know his students, their personalities, strengths, weaknesses, etc. Think of the learning time saved if a teacher got all of that out of the way and could continue with the same children. Not to mention the time saved by knowing exactly what they may need to review at the beginning of the next year. This is just one piece of the puzzle.
The idea I mentioned is the kind of productive thought that generally meets resistance from the entrenched system. This is why people turn to charters or private schools as solutions. The current system is not providing the answers people are looking for and is not open to change.
I'm not afraid to buck the system that is in place and challenge misconceptions. You shouldn't be either. Though we may not all agree on the exact methods, I am constantly encouraged by the other brave souls I meet who are tired of doing the same thing and expecting different results. Those sincerely devoted to improving education don't want to destroy the system. They want to remodel the house, maybe change the layout a little. Ultimately we want to turn this rickety one-room school house into a brilliant cathedral of learning. That might be a little dramatic, but for our kids' sakes, it's time to stop being quiet and start making some noise.
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