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I was just reading the selected national findings of the recent Speak Up research project by Project Tomorrow which collects feedback from students, parents and teachers and uses that information to spark conversation and look for trends in education.
Early in the report there is a massive disconnect identified: 56% of school principals say their schools are doing a good job of preparing their students for the jobs of the future. Only one-third of the students themselves share this view…and even fewer parents.
I can’t help but think that this is not the only disconnect out there. I know that as a society we have turned changed education from the search for knowledge to the preparation to be a “contributing member of society” and that this translates into “job preparation”. But isn’t there more to education? Shouldn’t there be more than that? What about these disconnects?

• My school thinks it’s a safe place, but I’m scared to death to get off the bus
• I’m taking history because I have to…but I could really care less
• I just want to dance/sing/act/write/create, but all I get to do is listen and watch
• I need 70 minutes to learn this topic..but the bell rings after 45 minutes
• I’m not “bad”…I just can’t possibly sit still in one place all day
• They think I can read, but I can’t

When was the last time your school did a simple survey?
When was the last time your principal talked to a focus group of just failing kids…not to threaten them with being held back, but to find out how she could help them succeed?

Project Tomorrow is asking your students if you’re meeting their needs…are you?

Texas Department of Welfare story about how they came up with a Staff Decision Process.

The data showed everything was flowing well. Found that case workers were doing what they had always done. Case-workers would record their notes and make a decision, THEN use the case-decision support system.

Implementation did not result in the Adoption.

Today’s presentation is about moving from implementation to adoption and the role of action research and focus groups can play.
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