Who Knew the Superintendent was on to Something?

This quote comes from Educational Leadership, September, 2010:

As a teacher once said, "I never heard of a student not doing his work; it's our work he's not doing."
-- Cathy Vatterott, p. 10

Wow! Is it that simply explained? Could this be why some (many? most?) students don't do assigned work, especially "homework"? Maybe if it had more to do with them, they'd do it. That is, if they were assigned to do work they found engaging, that they found meaningful, that they found relevant (There's that word, again!), students would be more apt to complete the assignment.

Did ya know?

"Two of three respondents" to the annual survey on student engagement "(66 percent) indicated that they are bored at least every day in class. But students also clarified the kinds of work that would engage them. They rated the following most highly: discussion and debate (61 percent); group projects (60 percent); and projects and lessons involving technology (55 percent). Following close behind as favorites were presentations (46 percent); role-plays (43 percent); and art and drama activities (49 percent). It's no surprise that teacher lecture got the highest 'like not at all' votes (44 percent) and the fewest 'like very much' votes (6 percent). Students also indicated that they enjoy discussions in which there are no clear-cut answers (65 percent) and that they would welcome the opportunity to be more creative in school (85 percent)." -Ed Leadership, Sept. 2010, p. 8.

Sounds like I may be barking up the right tree when I tell teachers in the district that they should be making work more relevant to students, particularly in their discussions of matters where "there is no clear-cut answers." That's a four rating on the Rigor and Relevance Framework's APPLICATION continuum; right?

And then there's Sir Ken Robinson's position about schools and their need to be better places for kids to find out what they're good at and encouraging creativity. Students, 85 percent of them anyway, would like to be more creative in school.

Looks like ol' Les is on to something, if I do say so myself. And I do.

Innovate, teachers.
Take risks, teachers.
Don't fear failure. Remember! It's a requirement...for success.
Each failure leads us further down the road toward success, especially if we're reflecting on the failures and learning from our mistakes. Failure is succeeding in learning what didn't work!!!

Parents, if you have questions about all of this nonsense, give me a call or e-mail me.

217-374-2842 lstevens@northgreene.com