Elementary schools and middle schools in Springdale, Ark., have an effort in place to encourage students to take a deeper interest in their progress.
According to the Sept. 13 issue of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the effort in the Springdale School District is to give students more of a say in their own education.
The plan is to do this through student advisory classes, learning plans for each student, and having students lead the discussions in parent-teacher conferences.
These are all cutting-edge strategies and common-sense approaches for getting students more involved in the learning process. And they should be implemented in every school.
Advisory classes in particular are in place for all students at Jefferson City High School. Every student has an advisory teacher who serves as guide, mentor, life coach and graduation coach.
The advisory classes in Springdale help students develop their own learning plans, set goals, and plan for college and/or their career.
The Sept. 13 Democrat-Gazette article stated that Springdale students in advisory put together a "four-page personalized learning plan that focuses on academics, behavior, character, and attendance."
Students become highly motivated when education is personalized in this way.
It is human nature for any of us to become more interested when the conversation shifts from how something can help people in general to how something can help one specifically.
Our students are no different. They naturally want to know what's in it for them.
I've always said that when a student asks, "Why do I have to learn this?" we had better have a good answer. We need to be prepared to explain how we can help them get from where they are to where they specifically want to be.
That's why setting goals, making plans, teaching valuable skills and helping students find a career path that is most suited to them is all-important.
It puts students on a pathway to success that makes sense to them. They will naturally work harder in school when they can see clearly that their efforts are leading them to a life of their own choosing.
In short, when we utilize strategies such as advisory time, career exploration and individualized plans, we are inspiring students to pursue their own dreams.
When we do that, school makes sense to the generations of the 21st century.
David Wilson, EdD, is the Associate Principal at Jefferson City High School. You may e-mail him at [email protected].