how to build the best high schools, ever
DESCRIPTION
Adolescence is a time of fiery, creative developmental energy. We are primed to explore, discover, argue, build, create, and dream. We must do these things so that normal development can take place. Typical high schools are obstacles to this period of growth; they stunt development rather than ignite it and are often places that the love of learning goes to die. Modern high schools can be different. They can be developmental, engaging, and interesting places with more ‘reality’ and activity.TRANSCRIPT
How to Build the Best High Schools, Ever
Organized by James [email protected]
SXSWedu 2015 Resource1
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“The root of the problem is a school experience that is essentially passive, fragmented, and based on skills.”
Alfie KohnThe Schools Our Children Deserve (1999)
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“Drudgery is the feeling that what one is doing is important to future goals, but pursuing those goals is not motivating or enjoyable at the moment.”
Dr. Kevin RathundeProfessor
Researcher: Optimal ExperienceUniversity of Utah
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The Antidote for Drudgery is Reality
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If students do not feel emotionally connected to their school, if they do not feel that adults at the school care about them, if they don’t feel that teachers are trying to teach them, and not just the content, students simply do not put in the requisite effort—and they do not learn, at least not up to their potential.
John Chubb, President, National Association of Independent Schools, USAOctober 3, 2013
Engagement Matters
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Adaptability
“...this is the most essential quality; for the progress of the world is continually opening new careers, and at the same time closing or revolutionizing the traditional types of employment.”
Dr. Maria MontessoriPhysicianEducator
Author, From Childhood to Adolescence (1948)7
“Many of the kids graduating from college these days are going to hold a number of different jobs in their lives, and many of those jobs have not yet been invented.
“For a world like that, what’s the best education? Seems to me it’s a very general education that enables you to think critically.”
-Hunter Rawlings, New York Times, 2013
President, Association of American Universities
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“Coming into this school I did not know much about what it would be like, so in a way I was taking a gamble.
It paid off.” -student
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Student-CenterChoiceRealityIndependenceActivity
Environment provides
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Measuring Engagement
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“The teachers know how to challenge the students and the community is extremely supportive.” -student
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Museum Park Super Neighborhood
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Joel Bartsch President of the Houston Museum of Natural Science
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“I see great potential for students to benefit from focused relationships with curators and staff at the museum—building on their coursework through real, behind-the-scenes experience with top professionals in the country.
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Working closely with students also benefits the museum, furthering our mission to enhance in citizens an interest in natural science.”
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Paleontology Intern
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Marine Biology Intern
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Entomology Intern
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Psychology Intern
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Exhibit Docents
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High School Survey of Student Engagement
University of Indiana, USA
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HSSSE seeks to assess the extent to which high school
students engage in education practices associated with high
levels of learning and development.
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Since 2004
500 schools40 states
400,000 students
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QuestionsTeachers engage me in classroom discussions
How much does your school emphasize understanding information and ideas for classes?
How often have you worked on a paper or project that required you to do research?
During this school year, how often have you connected ideas or concepts from one class to another?
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14141414
3%1%
13%15%
5%
13%
65%
58%
73%
14%
35%
Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Strongly agree
Q4g. Teachers engage me in classroom discussions
0%
20%
40%
60%
Perc
ent o
f Res
pons
es w
ithin
Gro
up
NAISHSSSE PublicYour School
Post Oak SchoolBar Graphs
Private Schools
Public Schools
Teachers engage me in classroom discussions
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31313131
4%1%
12%
2%7%
46%
27%
93%
35%
69%
Not at all Very little Some Very much
Q6b. How much does you school emphasize: Understanding information and ideas for ...
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Perc
ent o
f Res
pons
es w
ithin
Gro
up
NAISHSSSE PublicYour School
Post Oak SchoolBar Graphs
How much does your school emphasize understanding information and ideas for classes?
50
76767676
5%1%
7%
16%
9%13%
44%40%
80%
31%
47%
Never Rarely Sometimes Often
Q9i. During this school year, how often have you: Worked on a paper or project that r...
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Perc
ent o
f Res
pons
es w
ithin
Gro
up
NAISHSSSE PublicYour School
Post Oak SchoolBar Graphs
How often have you worked on a paper or project that required you to do research?
51
80808080
10%
3%
26%
17%
40%42% 43%
60%
17%
35%
Never Rarely Sometimes Often
Q9m. During this school year, how often have you: Connected ideas or concepts from ...
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Perc
ent o
f Res
pons
es w
ithin
Gro
up
NAISHSSSE PublicYour School
Post Oak SchoolBar Graphs
During this school year, how often have you connected ideas or concepts from one class to another?
52
79797979
7%2%
22%
11%
20%
43%39%
80%
24%
46%
Never Rarely Sometimes Often
Q9l. During this school year, how often have you: Discussed questions in class that ha...
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Perc
ent o
f Res
pons
es w
ithin
Gro
up
NAISHSSSE PublicYour School
Post Oak SchoolBar Graphs
During this school year, how often have you discussed questions in class that have no clear answers?
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“The school gives us opportunities and we’re treated with respect and
trust.”
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