Why aren’t you running?

The slow pace of big change is no secret, but sometimes we become too complacent in our patience. So leaders I ask you this: why aren’t you running?

The truth is this: our educational practices are still (by and large) anchored in industrial era systems. The other relevant truth is this: with the knowledge base created by learning science and neuroscience we know like never before what best develops conditions for learning.

Sadly we hold more stock in the old truths than the new.

We also know that systems level change has to happen if we want to see the best of today’s learning experiences in every classroom. Systems change comes from the top; our superintendents are more important than ever in our k12 systems.

Without leadership that can drive, cultivate, and nurture sustained systemic change we are out of luck. We celebrate teachers that are teaching by empowering students with real agency using real tools, relevant problems, and true skills. But we can’t forget the students that aren’t fortunate enough to have those rock stars.

Those kids, the kids that are still doing mindless tasks that were designed 10–20 years ago that are…