What Must Die In Order For Education To Move Forward?

April 5

One thing I absolutely love about my friend @the_explicator is the unique way in which he thinks about the world. He is easily the most well-read individual I have ever met. What’s more is that there is nary a time when he doesn’t find a profound lesson in what he reads, more often than not from outside the field of education, and apply that to his — no — to our work. I learn so much from our interactions because he inspires me — he pushes me to think in directions I otherwise may not have gone. And with the tough questions he asks, he stretches my thinking and learning like few others do.

A few months back I noticed quite a few of Chris’ tweets quoting the book, This Idea Must Die: Scientific Theories That Are Blocking Progress. I was intrigued by the ideas he was tossing into the universe. So, what’s a girl to do? I bought the book. Sadly, I haven’t found the time to actually read it yet, but I look forward to reading soon. But I digress. Shortly after Chris read this text I remember him asking the very question he poses to #AprilBlogADay today —

What must die in order for education to progress?

Honestly, I think that the answer to this question has the makings of a novel rather than a blog post. So, instead of rambling on and on about all that must die in education, I offer you a list of the things I believe (today) must die in order for education to move forward . . . in no particular order:

1. Extrinsic rewards for expected behaviors
2. Hyper-focus on grades and points instead of true learning and growth
3. The idea that EVERYTHING has to be graded
4. The tendency to ignore student voice
5. Grading compliance and representing it as a snapshot of learning
6. Standardized testing
7. IEPs that do not challenge our students
8. Traditional and inflexible scheduling for students
9. Fear of unstructured, creative learning spaces
10. Rigid, departmentalized education
11. Focus on technology for the sake of technology instead of technology tools that help students learn
12. Irrational fear of social media
13. The idea that only ELA teachers are responsible for teaching our students to be literate
14. Inefficient and ineffective use of teacher time
15. Fixed mindsets
16. The expectation that ALL professional development be compensated
17. Unwillingness to trust teachers as professionals
18. Administrative minutia that takes time away from the real work
19. Current hierarchies and leadership structures that leave no space for teachers to grow as leaders
20. The phrase, “ I don’t have time.”

Each one of these is a blog post in itself. I could go on, but I would love to hear from YOU instead! Please comment . . .

What do YOU think needs to die in order for education to move forward?