Are we giving high school students their best shot?

April 26, 2012

In the 2009-10 school year, 1,911 kids aged 16 and up dropped out of Nebraska schools.

I have blogged in the past about the critical importance of a high school education, and I am not the only one who strongly believes in providing a solid educational foundation for students. Preventing dropouts is one goal of Nebraska’s P-16 initiative. In addition, President Barack Obama’s education plan focuses on student achievement, lowering dropout rates, and better preparing youth for jobs or college.

Recently, Nebraska Legislature passed Bill 996. This bill, proposed by State Senator John Wightman, would prevent students under 18 from dropping out of school, unless they can prove they have to work to support their family or they cannot attend school because of illness.

Currently, students may drop out at age 16 with a notarized release from a parent or guardian.

Wightman has said letting students drop out before age 18 severely limits their job prospects. Opponents countered that the bill infringes on parental rights, and could lead to classroom disruptions from older students who don’t want to be in class.

Other states, including Maryland and Kentucky, are in the process of raising their high school dropout age requirement.

Nebraska State Senator Les Seiler has said that forcing a child to stay in school is not the answer, “the child wanting to be in school is the answer. How to accomplish this goal is the question.”

What do you think about this new bill? Do you think it’s a step in the right direction or the wrong approach to keeping children in school? Share your thoughts here.

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21st Century Education Lecture inspires and challenges

March 23, 2012

Our 21st Century Education Lecture last night was full of thoughtful comments and stimulating discussion. Dr. Milton Chen shared with us many fascinating example and videos from his work with the George Lucas Educational Foundation and Edutopia. It was inspiring to see examples of schools that are innovating and seeing successful results – both in terms of student-reported engagement and interest, as well as in improved test scores.

This lecture was a great step as we develop new ways of teaching for the 21st Century – both in the classroom and out of school. Dr. Chen emphasized “The Thinking Edge,” or adjusting our mindset about education.  When we look at education in a new light, the other edges will follow.

I have heard it described that the American education system is not so much falling behind as it is standing still while other countries are advancing. However, the ideas presented by Milton Chen give us fuel for a great leap forward in educating our children.

One of the takeaways of Dr. Chen’s talk was the idea that we must make school life more like real life. We need to teach our children skills like critical thinking and teamwork…skills that will help them tackle future jobs – jobs that may not even exist, yet!

Thank you to everyone who joined us. For those of you who were unable to make it, we hope you’ll join us at next year’s event. In the meantime, we will continue the conversation here on the blog.

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Education – the “greatest national security challenge”

March 22, 2012

In this video, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calls education the “greatest national security challenge” facing our nation. She offers compelling reasons, stating that 75% of our population simply cannot qualify for our military service, our foreign service, and intelligence agencies. Rice also touches upon the economic factor – we need people who can [...]

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“Born digital,” today’s youth use modern tools for learning

March 22, 2012

As we discuss how to provide a 21st Century Education, we must not forget the most important – and biggest – edge involved in this discussion: the 50 million students in our schools. The Youth Edge is the last edge presented in Milton Chen’s book, “Education Nation,” but certainly not the least important edge. Today’s [...]

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It takes a village to raise a child

March 21, 2012

In his book, “Education Nation,” our upcoming speaker, Milton Chen creates the “21st Century Teacher’s Job Description.” It calls for teachers as “managers of learning” for students, rather than teachers who act as the sole instructor and holder of all knowledge. Today’s teachers need to act as the “guide on the side,” helping students access [...]

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Education happens anywhere, anytime

March 21, 2012

“Learning in America is a prisoner of time. For the past 150 years, American public schools have held time constant and let learning vary.” What strikes me most about this quote from the National Education Commission on Time and Learning is that it was said in 1994, but is still so true today. Our school [...]

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The 21st Century Classroom: New Technology, New Ideas

March 20, 2012

Classroom equipment has come a long from the clunky overhead projector. From 1:1 laptop programs to using iPods to enhance foreign language education, there are many ways to use today’s latest technologies in the classroom. However, the Technology Edge is not about buying the latest technology just for the sake of having it. Our speaker [...]

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The definition of a great school

March 16, 2012

What is your definition of a great school? In his book, Milton Chen shares this answer from Paul Houston, the former executive director of the American Association of School Administrators: “Do students run into the school in the morning at the same speed they run out in the afternoon?” I think this is an excellent [...]

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In education, this turn of the century mirrors the last one.

March 9, 2012

In Milton Chen’s book “Education Nation. Six Leading Edges of Innovation in Our Schools,” he relays a quote from John Dewey: “From the standpoint of the child, the great waste in the school comes from his inability to utilize the experiences he gets outside the school in any complete and free way within the school [...]

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Today’s learners are digital natives of a technological world.

March 8, 2012

“Your generation has music in your blood. We have technology in ours.” — This is what one rural high school student to Susan Patrick of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning. According to Dr. Milton Chen, our speaker for the 21st Century Education Lecture Series, I am a “digital immigrant.” This means that I, [...]

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