Connected Principals

Shawn Pomatto

CA

Marschhausen, J. (2014). Connected principals: All the children are above average.  Retrieved from http://connectedprincipals.com/archives/10378

You hear it all the time in education that "all children are above average!" This article will refute that ideology and embrace the fact that we are all different.  Federal and state mandated testing share the common theme of expectations where all children will be above average.  Although every child we teach is indeed unique, there is by no means a classroom whose students are all above average.  What we must instil, instead of trying forcing students to score in the above average percentile on tests, is foster their creativity, passion, and desire, and let students use their talents uniquely.  The diversity we experience in our schools allows for this type of reasoning to have success.  The argument for those promoting diversity is that standardized testing promotes that there is a certain standard that all students should reach.  When in reality, that standard has many interpretations amongst each individual student.  The rigidity within standardized educational practices is supplanted with an organic learning experience of passion and opportunity.  This diversity in our learning experience will only enhance the diversity of our community when students become active members of society.  Many skill sets are necessary for a productive society to sustain itself.  By promoting individualism and fostering multiple skills and styles within students, we will to a better job setting our students up for success in the future.

This article does a great job of understanding the differences amongst us all.   We can still achieve academic success and the acquisition of knowledge through embracing and expanding on those unique qualities we all possess.  There is no standard to be taught or learned.  The only standard is that students will put forth their best effort and they will have intellectual freedom to show how they can demonstrate their acquisition of the base fundamental knowledge of the assignment.  This learning experience will resonate within the students for their entire life.  Thus, the application of their learning will be a real life experience of relevant learning.