Part 2 of this series can be read at: Washington K–12 Return to Basics and Core Competencies – A Reform Plan For more than two decades, American education has accumulated reform after reform: standards-based education, testing reform, personalized learning, social-emotional learning, project-based learning, competency-based education, technology integration and, most recently, artificial intelligence. Many of these ideas have merit. The problem is that reform has too often been additive. We keep adding new objectives without removing old ones or asking the most basic question: Are students actually learning what they need to know? Washington should begin answering that question with … [Read more...]
Grok says: As an expert how does DEI harm children in k-12?
Today's article comes to us fro, Grok the AI. We asked it to use "expert mode" and research the negative impact DEI has on K-12 children. For your analysis and consideration. DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in K-12 education are designed to foster environments where all students feel valued and have equal opportunities, but they have faced significant criticism for potential unintended harms. As a truth-seeking expert, I'll note upfront that this is a highly debated topic: while some studies and opinion pieces highlight negative impacts, others (including from educators and advocacy groups) argue that DEI enhances student well-being, reduces disparities, and that … [Read more...]
It’s official: Ditching the SATs was a big mistake
Food for thought.. Brought to us by the Washington Examiner written by Jon Miltimore republished at Zero Hedge The state of education in the US is at a crossroads. Money isn't the solution. Focus on basics with full parental engagement and a societal commitment to establish new expectations is the only solution. In early 2020, the University of California set the tone for the rest of the country when its regents voted to drop SAT and ACT admissions requirements through 2024. That decision, initially framed as a pandemic necessity, quickly reshaped admissions nationwide. By late 2022, roughly 1,750 schools, or about 80 percent of U.S. universities, had adopted test-optional … [Read more...]
A chat with ChatGPT on Headstart Programs
Premise statement: head start programs have no value ChatGPT said: It sounds like you might have some strong feelings about Head Start programs. They’ve been a topic of debate for a while, with critics pointing to issues like inconsistent quality and long-term effectiveness, while supporters argue that they provide critical early education and resources for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. What’s your perspective on them? What leads you to feel that they don’t hold much value? You said: the value vs cost. any benefit is lost by 3rd grade ChatGPT said: Ah, I see what you're getting at—the argument that the … [Read more...]
AI Agents Will Shape Every Aspect Of Education In 2025
From an article at Forbes Artificial Intelligence has been at the forefront of educational technology and innovation discussions these past two years and will likely continue to be so for the foreseeable future. To discern what may be coming in 2025, I asked several education innovators who had shaped stories in 2024 for their takes on what they see as being just over the horizon. One theme that stood out was the rise of AI Agents. The Rise Of AI Agents In this context, the sense of “agent” is the difference between using a tool to accomplish something yourself and asking someone to do something for you. Imagine that you are trying to solve a mathematics program. The tool approach … [Read more...]
Fostering Artistic Passion in Children with Learning Disabilities
Unlocking the creative potential of children with learning disabilities can be a transformative journey, one that fosters self-expression and skill development. In this article we'll explore the therapeutic and inclusive benefits of exposing these children to the arts. We'll delve into these practical steps. Todays returning guest author is Emily Graham. She is the creator of Mighty Moms (mightymoms.net). She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms — from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a … [Read more...]
Why We Need to Take Education Back to Past Practices
Today's article comes from Intellectual Takeout written by Jeff Minick. We've said the same thing for years. Don't change methods or types of instruction just because it's been around for hundreds of years. It's time to step back and do a complete assessment of K-12 education and use the best of the best and stop using fads. Sometimes the best way to go forward is to go backward. In 1899, the population of Boonville, North Carolina was under 200. It was a tiny crossroads town in the middle of farming country. It was also the home of the Yadkin Valley Institute and School of Business, which 20 years later would become a public school. My friend Allen, whose ancestors were among the … [Read more...]
More Students Are Turning Away From College and Toward Apprenticeships?
As a society, for the past 20+ years, we've pushed a college education as the ultimate goal. If you don't go to college you'll never earn as much money. If you don't go to college You are somehow less fulfilled. In the meantime there are a LOT of jobs that pay better than what college graduates earn. Many college attendees run up massive student debt. Here's some college graduation data: The percentage of college students who graduate varies depending on the type of institution, the length of study, and the gender of the students12345. The average college graduation rate at four-year schools was 60% between 2008-2020 1. In 2020, the 6-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time … [Read more...]
Deepfake teachers & technology: the future of K-12 public education?
Ready to glimpse the future of K-12 public education? Put your walking shoes on and check your skepticism at the door and enter the looking glass with me... The future of K-12 public education is...Deepfake teachers. First what the heck is "deepfake"? Definition: "an image or recording that has been convincingly altered and manipulated to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something that was not actually done or said" "Deepfake (a portmanteau of "deep learning" and "fake") is a technique for human image synthesis based on artificial intelligence(A.I). It is used to combine and superimpose (Photoshop/Edit) existing images and videos onto source images or videos using a … [Read more...]
Why Are Kids Impatient, Bored, Friendless, and Entitled?
When our children head to school their mental state is critical. If we don't create the right home environment there is no way the schools can teach. The following article comes to us from Deep Roots at Home. Give it a read... “Kids today are in a devastating emotional state! Most come to school emotionally unavailable for learning. There are many factors in our modern lifestyle that contribute to this.” ~V.P. In her practice, my friend Victoria Prooday, OT is seeing something so widespread and alarming that I asked if I could share her thoughts. Due to the overwhelming interest and conversation on this topic, I am re-sharing her post. I encourage every parent who cares about … [Read more...]