Will Students Benefit From the Future of Education in the U.s.?

When we talk about the future forecast of what thecan find him searching the bookshelves for his favorite
coming years have in store for us in so far astopic - reptiles.
education there are a number of new theories aboutIt is all about holding schools accountable for the goal
things like "gift" economies, sustainable environments,of each student performing at or above grade level by
and new civic processes as well assessing the future2014. So, the Department of Education will gather data
trends in education. One dilemma is the tensionto measure student improvement while holding the
between the marketplace for increasingly personalizedschools accountable for results. Another theory out
learning and the social mandate of the public schoolsthere is focusing on experiments in sharing or "gift"
to provide foundational education to everyone. And thiseconomies, sustainable environments, and new civic
does not include the factor of varying income levelsprocesses -- basically the fact that local value grows
and what people can afford.economies of group connectivity, and that this
The reality is that our global society is starting tocombined with fears of globalism, political gridlock, and
fragment into subcultures each with their own strongsome concerns over dominance of big business will
belief systems. So what do these trends mean forcreate a revival of localism.
education? Recently U.S. Secretary of EducationThink tanks are also assessing the future of education.
Margaret Spellings announced the approval of twoOne of the dilemmas that they have identified is the
growth models that follow the bright-line principles oftension between the marketplace for increasingly
the "No Child Left Behind" program. It seems that nowpersonalized learning and the social mandate of the
our states have finally developed the framework inpublic schools to provide foundational education to
which they can measure student skills every year, aseveryone  regardless of backgrounds or income
the law requires. Spellings asked states tolevels. Other thoughts include economics, urban space
demonstrate progress over time so that we can laterexpansion and the fact that society is starting to
adapt a more sophisticated measurement system.fragment into subcultures with strong belief systems.
This is known as the growth model or value-addedIf you want our children to do better in school, then it is
approach.important to begin to understand the reasons why
The reality is that whether we are talking about the U.they are not doing so well. In researching the various
S. Department of Education's program, or the hundredstrends and strategies in education, everyone, including
of other private or non-profit programs in place acrosseducators and parents alike, can communicate more
the U.S. - and therefore it's really about accountabilityeffectively about the issues. It was in 1997 when
and results for each student.Congress first formed the National Reading Panel to
One example is Jonathan, who before attending hisevaluate the research on teaching practices to
Create Success after school program in Brooklyndetermine what really works. Thereafter, the Federal
New York, can now solve any math problem becausegovernment's No Child Left Behind Act required that
of the extra "individualized" help. Plus he discoveredschool districts use scientifically proven instructional
that he loved to learn. "It's fun here," said Jonathan.methods as they strive to make all children proficient in
"We have discussions and they help me get all mymath and reading by 2014.
homework done." Once his homework is finished you