Most Critical System Shifts Needed to Drive Innovation

The TOP 3 system structures that must shift in the future. This monthly post is provided to provoke a little conversation. And, remember, the thoughts presented here are offered up as indisputable facts, not just opinions…😁 So here we go…Our sure-fire, without-a doubt most critical system shifts that we must tackle to move our schools forward.

Do you agree? Seriously, you don’t want to dare question the indisputable and irrefutable monthly Top 3. 😁 Just saying.

But if you dare, click below and join the conversation…

What Do You Think →

No matter what we do to improve our schools and school districts, teachers will lead the way. They are the lifeblood of our industry. In fact, it is sadly ironic to find teachers in most schools and districts toiling away in obscurity while school principals, district directors, and superintendents make tough instructional decisions. Yes, the influence of school principals is profound and their roles will continue to shift and expand. Still, no school or school district in the next generation will have widespread and lasting success without genuine teacher leadership. This will require districts to establish committees or boards of directors of some type that include teachers directing the work of teaching and learning. The best school districts will figure this out. They will empower their best employees to lead, and teacher leadership will not require teachers to stop teaching. A more horizontal (and less top-down) organizational structure will be required. If not, we will risk losing our most skilled and passionate people to other districts or other professions.

There is simply too much at stake and too much common sense to not cultivate authentic student voice and ample opportunities for students to collaborate and lead. Whether we call them learning communities, social networks, or something else, schools and districts must provide opportunities within the school day for deep discussion among students. Finding the right time and determining the purpose will be challenging, but our best schools will figure it out. Yes, this may include time for students to team and collaborate without direction and instruction from a teacher. Students as co-collaborators and co-producers of original content, from performances to business ventures. Yes, creativity and entrepreneurship will be foundations of schools in the future. And, yes, students will need PLC time (or PLNs) too.

Schools must be designed around each student’s needs. There will be very little room in the future for cookie-cutter lessons and assignments. Learning will become increasing applied (hands-on) and place-based (community-centered). Assessment will be wide and deep, from informal talks to juried presentations. While rigorous classroom instruction remains first and foremost, it is prudent that we provide students more time for personal reflection, independent research, and peer-to-peer interaction. In fact, the day may come where we provide students a day off campus (perhaps at a local college, museum, or business) learning in different environments, and researching topics of their own choosing. Some of these field experiences may include younger children moving as groups via extended field trips or older students involved in structured learning sabbaticals. The future of our schools will certainly be connected to the promising practices occurring now in revitalizing our neighborhoods and building sustainable communities. This will require our schools and communities to collaborate in giving students purposeful opportunities to volunteer and support their neighbors. These partnerships can provide our students with rich lessons in self-respect, empathy, and pride through community activism and citizenship.