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Education Is Destiny |
Best Practices among Schools of Distinction
on September 15, 2009
This week in Washington, D.C., at a black tie gala, Intel and a host of other sponsors honored six schools for their groundbreaking work in math and science. Over the course of a day and a half, the schools met with technology industry leaders discussing strategies for raising the bar for students to achieve in math and science education. It’s inspirational. If I could be granted a wish, I would want all kids to be able to have an academic career similar to what is offered at each of this year’s winning schools.
As I sat and listened to each school present their programs and accomplishments, I kept a list of common elements. Here they are, the secrets to math and science curriculum (and our nation’s future):
- Inquiry-based learning (project-based and hands-on)
- The campus and classroom considered a “learning lab” (there were no photos of classrooms arranged with desks in rows facing the front of the room)
- Access to technology
- Non-traditional school day schedule (not based on class periods and bell system), allowing for teachers to collaborate and plan
- Focus on teacher collaboration and ongoing professional learning and development
- Freedom from paced curriculum/freedom to innovate
Congratulations to the 2009 winners! I hope to visit your campuses soon.
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