Really. That is so old. Maybe a long time ago that was good enough. Maybe when schools were just a new idea and the desire to have an educated democracy was the impetus, maybe then it was enough to have literacy as a goal (I know, we struggle with even that too often today). In the days when just making “reading for yourself” the goal, so you didn’t have to rely on an authority, maybe that was enough to ask of a school. Maybe people learned the other stuff elsewhere.
The other stuff is now the most important stuff. Literacy is the given, it’s assumed. If all we give students is the ability to read, write and do ‘rithmetic, then we’ve failed terribly. They’ll fail terribly. It’s happening now. This is not a debate.
The other stuff is what never shows up on a standardized test, doesn’t get covered in a textbook and isn’t in the mind of most teachers. No wonder we’re not teaching it – it’s not on any map or radar. But it is the crux of successful living, how did that happen? How did the best stuff get left behind?
I’m talking about the intangibles. That’s right – the stuff you can see. Well, you can see it if you know how to look, how to recognize it. Self-determination. Intrinsic motivation. Self-discipline. Creativity. If you can deliver these the rest will take care of itself. But traditional schools aren’t in the game. These are not in their playbook.
This is a conversation changer. Let’s talk about this. Let’s get the placards out in front of the district office and demand THIS change – it’s what determines success.
Hey mwbusa,
I somewhat agree with your statements. I agree that it is no longer about the three Rs…that there is a lot more that students today need to succeed in life. What I disagree with is that it is not the schools, but rather the parents that must step up to teach “Self-determination. Intrinsic motivation. Self-discipline. Creativity.”. And more importantly, in my opinion, self- confidence…for a child without self-confidence will never be able to step up and be creative, or self motivated to learn or achieve more than just the 3 Rs.
Rob,
You are exactly right about self-esteem. One of the problems of the 80’s movement to “promote” self-esteem was to confuse it with being a “source” of success, rather than a bi-product. Self-esteem is an EFFECT, not a cause. So, schools stopped failing children, “keeping them back”, etc b/c they didn’t want to hurt their self-esteem. We ended up with a bunch of 6th graders who had terrible skills… but felt good about themselves (?!). NO. Self-esteem comes from seeing your efficacy in action, and from having a sense that you are a worthy person to begin with.
RE: your other points: YES, families should be developing the things mentioned TOO. Are you suggesting that ONLY families should worry about them and it’s not something for schools to be concerned with?
Mark
Hi Mark,
I don’t think that ONLY parents should be worried about these other things. I think there is a responsibility for schools to foster an environment where creativity, self-motivation, etc. are encouraged and recognized. However, at the end of the day, I expect that when my kids graduate, they are able to at least read and write (3Rs) and if schools can’t get that right, they should not worry about the other items till they can get it right. Now, you argue that by encouraging these other items, the 3Rs will come more naturally….maybe…but sometimes “old school” is effective. We did it…it wasn’t so bad. I think schools need to continue to focus on the 3Rs as a base, but to also ensure kids are encouraged to explore their other skills, strengths, talents and interests and enable (not stifle) the development of these other intangible skills.
In the end, I strongly believe that it is ultimately the parent who has responsibility for their child’s education and growth…not the school system. In my opinion, these other intangibles are the parent’s responsibility, not the school system. It is parents that need to encourage determination, self discipline, self awareness, etc. It is only if the parent does this can the child be successful. This is done by being involved with your kids, leading by example, and encouraging these behaviours. From what I see on my end as a parent, the kids that don’t do well in school, are those that do not have an encouraging family environment. The ones that do well have actively involved parents.
As for self-esteem, I agree that this is an effect largely a result of seeing and experiencing success, and not a source. But self confidence is fostered way before school ever enters the picture. If the ground work is not laid, self-esteem can never grow. A parent’s greatest gift to their child is self-esteem, for with self esteem, everything becomes possible.
Rob.
Rob – bang on. Parents are integral in their child’s education and there is a huge correlation between family/home life and success in school. Glad to know you get this and are an involved parent. Lucky children.