What do you wish you learned at a young age? Every time I complete a yoga or mindfulness training, I hear the same expressions: Why didn’t we learn this in school? I wish I was taught this when I was young or If only I knew…
Think about all the things you wished you learned at a young age: how to manage finances, an additional language, mastery of a musical instrument, interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, how to control thoughts, how to cope with loss, effective communication, digital literacy, survival skills … the list can go on and on.
Now think of all the things we were forced to memorize, but have never used in the real world. Most of it was memorized simply to pass a required course or to do well on an assessment. How much of it can we even recall today? Much of what we learned has become meaningless and minuscule.
For the past 25 years, I have been a passionate teacher and mentor in public and private schools both in the states and abroad. I have seen firsthand the problems that arise in our public education system while at the same time have taken best practices from around the globe. A call for educational reform is now as our future depends on it.
Outdated curriculum – Stuck in a 20th century framework
Reading and math scores from American students have been in the decline for decades while mental illnesses are on the rise. Many factors such as high student to teacher ratios, insufficient funding, unqualified staff and lack of resources contribute to this crisis.
But in my opinion, one of the main factors is the obsolete curriculum. Most of the US curriculum has remained nearly the same since the 1950’s with little reform. Our system is still based on rote memorization rather than meaningful learning.
Knowledge vs. application (Bloom’s taxonomy)
What is the use of knowledge if it can not be applied for our betterment? According to Bloom’s Taxonomy, an educational framework, the lowest form of knowledge is recall or memorization. The highest levels involve analyzing and synthesizing the information in order to create. As the majority of current jobs become extinct, our ever-changing society demands innovation. Due to advancements in technology, children now have all the information they need at their fingertips, simply by asking Google or AI. Therefore, there is no need for students to memorize specific facts or mathematical formulas, but a demand to evaluate the underlying concepts. Through synthesization of knowledge comes the development of innovative ideas and future creations for our global society.
Traditional vs. standard based assessments
On average the government spends 1.7 billion dollars a year on standardized testing. Consequently, a strong emphasis remains on these tests rather than progress because school districts are allocated funds based on yearly test scores. This in turn causes a ton of pressure on teachers, administration and students alike.
As a former public elementary school teacher, I recall the extreme pressure and anxiety that these tests caused on not only me, but my students. I would spend months preparing my students for the standardized testing. Too many days were filled with practice tests and repetitive fact memorization. Looking back, I hold great sadness as the kids would sense my lack of enthusiasm. I had a few students who were so anxious on the day of the test that they were even physically ill. To think, all of this for one day, one test! There has to be a better way to assess growth and learning. No one’s intelligence or skill set should be solely judged on a single test on a single day.
With this said, assessing what a student has learned is an imperative part of schooling. While teaching abroad at an international school, I was introduced to standard based grading which proves to be a more adequate way. Traditional grading is based upon an average of various assignments, quizzes, tests, presentations etc... The basic letter grade such as A, B, C is given at the end of a course or semester. However, the letter grade does not say much if anything on what skills and knowledge the student has obtained.
For example, Harry receiving a C in Mathematics does not give feedback on what concepts Harry has mastered or what exactly he needs to work to achieve a higher placement.
On the contrary, Standard Based Grading is based on specific goals emphasizing a growth mindset. The report cards list each and every standard taught that semester using a number system of 1 to 4 (4 mastery, 3 proficient, 2 partial understanding and 1 beginning or not meeting expectations). This makes it easier to identify what specifically needs improvements. For example, it might say Harry has mastered multiplication, but lacks an understanding in solving multi-step word problems. Next semester, the 1 or 2 can turn into a 3 or 4 with additional support, study and time. This is vital in assisting students to develop a growth mindset in place of being defined by a letter. Their focus is no longer on the final A on their report card, but how they can precisely grow and improve in each subject matter. In turn, this empowers students to want to learn more instead of feeling dumb or defeated. It builds resilience and teaches them that failure is essential in acquiring intelligence. When we fail, we learn. When we fall, we get back up and try again.
Conventional vs. interested based learning
Imagine what your elementary, middle and high school classrooms looked like when you were in school. What comes into mind? Rows of desks and a teacher instructing in the front of the room are common images that pop into mind. Classroom environments and instruction are typically set up to prepare the youth for a 9-5 corporate environment. A work climate where you sit at your cubicle desk without much movement or interaction and are expected to follow the instructions of your higher ups. This type of conventional learning creates stagnation and boredom which is a recipe for disruptive behavior where little learning takes place. Direct instruction is not conducive with children’s attention spans at an all time low.
While there is a time and place for whole group direction instruction, Inquiry and Interest Based Learning has profound positive effects. When a child is encouraged to learn based on their curiosity and passions, they thrive for knowledge. A child is naturally curious about how the world works. They are always asking, Why? They can not wait to research and gain more and more knowledge on a topic they are so very passionate about. In this type of education, the teacher becomes more like a guide. A mentor that nurtures their individuality and helps them become masters in their specific fields of interest.
Outdoor education
How many plants or birds can you identify in your own backyard? Do you have the skill set to survive? How often do you look up at the night sky? We have become far removed from our true environment while our schooling system is not preparing us for basic survival skills or how to live symbiotically in our environment. It is vital to know when and what crops to plant, what plants are poisonous and the patterns and messages from birds, butterflies and creatures, just to name a few.
While teaching abroad in Norway, outdoor education was a valued aspect of their curriculum. Each year, I would take my 4th grade students to Lierskole (Outdoor School) for a week of learning cross-country skiing and basic skills of survival such as: starting a fire, orienteering, tying knots, foraging for food and building a shelter. I was fortunate enough to learn right alongside my students. While growing up in the states and attending public schools and university, I never acquired these vital skills. The knowledge gained through this program truly impacted my life and the lives of many kids for the better. These types of skills fostered a sense of independence and self-sufficience. It causes one to live with less fear, knowing that we are always provided for. All we need to do is connect to our worlds that are outside of our homes and outside of our school buildings.
5 ways we can fix it
1. Community collaboration
Parents, teachers, administration and the community need a clear pipeline of communication. Once the pipeline is established effective communication and significant results can occur. This can include sharing ideas and speaking to the appropriate officials who can make change happen. In addition, there also has to be an open and clear communication between parents, teachers and students, so everyone has a common goal they work on together.
2. Shift in our mindsets
Keeping the same belief systems as the 20th century will hold us back from any long lasting change. If we want to change our children’s futures, we must change our old patterns of thoughts and beliefs that go along with it. Many schools are still based upon preparing kids for careers and jobs that will soon be irrelevant. We must shift our mindset to empower our youth to be creative, world thinkers and leaders.
Adopting a Mindfulness curriculum is a big part of this movement. It is crucial that children are taught self-awareness and how to regulate their thoughts and big emotions.
Related article: Just Give Me a Mindful Minute: 5 Ways to Reconnect
3. Curriculum reform
One of the biggest aspects for a positive future is curriculum reform. We must evaluate what is currently being taught and clean out the antiquated. Thus we can adopt the new and innovative. Adding subjects such as financial literacy, mental health, survival skills, natural environment, interpersonal skills, cooking, budgeting, employment and networking are just some of the many examples that can radically change the course of a child’s life.
4. Local campaigns
Whether you are advocating for funding, higher teacher pay or a lower teacher to student ratio, local campaigns are a great way to get your message across. Getting the students to be a part of the campaign is a wonderful way to teach them how to advocate for change. It allows students to know that they can make a difference.
5. Real-life experiences
Knowledge that becomes experienced becomes wisdom. It is through applying our knowledge that we become experts in that field. I can read all the Mindfulness books and take all the Mindfulness courses, but if I never experience it, how will I know what it truly is? Same goes with professions we may choose as a young adult. We will not know if that is the correct career path for us, until we actually go out in the real-world and get hands-on experience. This type of experience is more likely retained and is applied more reliably. Therefore, giving students opportunities for on-the- job learning, apprenticeships or having guest speakers are vital parts of education. Think about being a guest speaker at your child’s local school or developing a summer intern program at your workplace.
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Laura Rubino, Special Guest Writer and Executive Contributor
Meet Laura Rubino, a passionate Mindfulness Mentor and the driving force behind Higher Minds, a transformative coaching business dedicated to empowering children and adolescents. With over 25 years of experience in teaching and mentoring students across the globe, Laura specializes in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, a proven approach that helps individuals shift from reaction to conscious response, anger to compassion, and anxiety to peace.
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