Adventures in Learning

theneongypsy:

adventuresinlearning:

We believe that focusing on increasing student test scores on narrowly defined test questions is not a valid purpose of the school system. Educating human beings to express themselves, be creative, empathetic toward others, concerned with the well-being of fellow citizens, sensitive to the environments we inhabit and use, able to speak multiple languages, as well as knowing complex subject matter, should be the hallmark of an Oregon graduate. We know others have their own visions of education they wish to share.

Rather than creating a 12 person board that will define what things like achievement mean, force districts to sign compacts with the state, or tell universities how to provide their services, we need to engage in substantive and sustained democratic dialogue about our schools, to enunciate and debate our priorities, so that we use our funds in wise and informed ways. Imagine schools and districts not just signing compacts with the state, but also with the community, whose values likely encompass more than economic ones. Such an effort would be a more difficult path than OEIB has set out for itself, but one more likely to create schools that better serve the needs of Oregon students.

This is not just true in Oregon but all over the country!

Community focused education- yes, absolutely! And in giving weight to the community, also giving weight and legitimacy to the role of the student. I was amazed at the end of my high school educational career that they finally did a survey asking for my opinion on my educational experience. It’s too bad that whatever change may have come of my opinions will happen after I am long gone. Students need to be included, not pushed to the side, of the conversation about their education. They need to be taken seriously, because they understand best what needs are and are not being fulfilled. 
Being at a university now where I am being taken seriously and treated as someone who is conscious of my own learning ability and needs is an incredible experience. I would have gotten so much more out of high school had I been able to have the voice and control over my education that I do now. Now, I don’t take tests and I am not judged by my scores, but my professors genuinely care both for my well being as a student and as a human. Instead of the rush of whispered answers to test scores that accompanied the halls of my high school, I constantly hear genuine conversations about world issues, occurrences, cultures, etc. happening. The individualistic nature of tests- that there is one “correct” answer and that one person must know the answer is contrary to the way the world operates.  Cooperation, collaboration, and building upon one another’s ideas to create a solution to complex problems are the skills this world actually needs- not more people who think they alone have the “right” answer.

Thank you for sharing your story! I totally agree. I think more could even be done in college. We waste so much human potential by only providing passive education. You never know how what a student has inside until you give them a chance to use it. Tests don’t do that, finite knowledge based teacher/lecture/textbook centered learning does not do that.

It is never too late to have your voice heard. Thank you for sharing!

-Adventures in Learning