February 2019 #futureofschool Chat Recap
In our second monthly installment of the #futureofschool Twitter chat, we explored Americans’ satisfaction with the K-12 education system. Co-hosts Paul Solarz and Amy Valentine led a lively chat with teachers, college students, school leaders, blended learning organizations, parents and concerned community members from across the U.S., Canada and Australia. Many shared their personal experiences when responding to the questions and prompts they posed:
What are some of the factors you believe contribute to Americans being dissatisfied with the U.S. education system?
What can be done on a local scale to help address these factors? (Parents? Citizens? Teachers? Business/civic leaders?)
What factors play a role in the [oft-cited] 72% satisfaction rate with schools?
List some myths about the public education system and debunk them individually.
What does the 'future of school' look like, in your eyes?
How can we amplify the positive in K-12 learning experiences, including what's working well and how it can be scaled?
If you could overhaul one aspect of our public education system, what might it be and why?
Participants’ insights offered up both a critical look at public education as well as optimism for specific ways in which it can be effectively (if not incrementally) improved. Here are some of the discussion highlights:
A7 I wouldn't overhaul our educational system-rather than top down education policies I'd tip it upside down-I'd flip the system-local problems local solutions- trust that educators are professionals and collectively collaboratively we can find the solutions #futureofschool pic.twitter.com/kTUghhEBS0
— Teachers As Leaders (@teacherasleader) February 28, 2019
Relationships are the critical foundations that support students, teachers, and the learning for both. #isteTEN #futureofschool
— Frank Barnes (@FrankBarnes88) February 28, 2019
Echo! An increased willingness to try/test new things out and support school innovators is the dream #futureofschool
— Miranda McCasland (@mjmccasland_) February 28, 2019
A6. One of the reasons we love edchats on Twitter is because of the exchange of ideas that happens between educators/leaders! What a cool way to find out what folks are doing in areas of the country (or world) you may never see in person... and use these ideas! #futureofschool
— Learning Accelerator (@LearningAccel) February 28, 2019
Q6: How can we amplify the positive in K-12 learning experiences, including what's working well and how it can be scaled? 🚀 #futureofschool#ThursdayThoughts #shifttthis
— Amy E. Valentine (@amyvalentine555) February 28, 2019
(If ‘other,’ tweet your response with A6!)
A5: Any "specialty" teacher(s) in a state with less than 85% brick'n mortar access mandated to be offered in tandem online for equity in access. #futureofschool
— Jeff Renard (@vtvlcjeff) February 28, 2019
Absolutely! Education is more than reading, writing, and mathematics. It encompasses the whole student and community. Education does not take place in a vacuum! #Futureofschool
— LeadLearner (@learner_lead) March 1, 2019
Speaking as a former blended/hybrid student, YES! It's a misconception I still hear about. My HS teachers/peers were/are excellent and I'm still in touch with them and so grateful for them #futureofschool
— Miranda McCasland (@mjmccasland_) February 28, 2019
A3: It's definitely a mix of the right tools and instruction that makes for the best learning experiences -- #tech on its own doesn't have the same impact! #futureofschool https://t.co/7EZLQDEpRf
— FBOL (@FoundationBOL) February 28, 2019
A7 - I'd like to give teachers more autonomy to make decisions based on their collective students. State & district requirements & expectations often limit what can be done in class (e.g. minutes per day/week of each subject, program usage, etc.). #futureofschool
— Paul Solarz (@PaulSolarz) February 28, 2019