I Hate Change. Or Do I?
Four years ago our family loaded everything we owned into
two horse trailers and headed north. I had recently been hired as the new principal of Cardston Junior High School. This was for me the most difficult
change that I had ever made in my life. I left a school that I loved. People I
loved and a town that I loved. Beside that I hate change. I love knowing what’s next. I love knowing that I can handle it. Like many of us I like the
feeling of being in control.
That said, the change has been great. We love our new home, I love the people I work with and am around each day. I love my new school and
the great staff I have. I love the direction Alberta is going in education. The
transformation might be hard, but if it best for kids that we want to be part
of this great change.
Education is changing across the globe and at home here in
Alberta. In April of 2010 the government of Alberta released a document titled
Inspiring Education: A Dialogue with Albertans.
The Inspiring Education document outlines the need
to transform education in Alberta. The need for the next generation of learners
to have 21st century skills. These 21st century skills
include: Critical Thinking, Collaboration Skills, and Communication Skills. The
Inspiring Education document states, “For ever two people retiring the next
decade, there will be less than one person to take those jobs. At the same time, current growth rates will
add 80,00 people to the province every year, a number equivalent to population
of Lethbridge in 2007."
“Inspiring
Education presents a vision for education to 2030. It sets
high-level direction, but it does not layout the process for implementation."
“The vision of Inspiring Education is
transformational. Some may claim the transformation to achieve this vision is
underway. Indeed, some of what is outlined in this report is already happening
in pockets throughout the province. For example, as described later in this
report, Caslan School integrates Métis heritage and fine arts into the
curriculum. This makes the curriculum richer and more relevant
to its students.
However, discussions with thousands of Albertans confirmed that innovations
like this are in the minority. To truly transform education, the education
system must empower innovation throughout the province.”
The Vision
“Albertans articulated their vision for education
through specific outcomes, which have been summarized as 'the Three E’s' of
education for the 21st Century. Albertans told us the Kindergarten to Grade 12
(K-12) system should strive to instil the following qualities and abilities in
our youth:
Engaged Thinker: who thinks critically and
makes discover
ies; who uses technology to learn, innovate, communicate, and
discover; who works with multiple perspectives and disciplines to identify
problems and find the best solutions; who communicates these ideas to
others; and who, as a life-long learner, adapts to change with an attitude of
optimism and hope for the future.
Ethical Citizen: who builds relationships
based on humility, fair- ness and open-mindedness; who demonstrates respect,
empathy and compassion; and who through teamwork, collaboration and communication
contributes fully to the community and the world.”
Entrepreneurial Spirit: who
creates opportunities and achieves goals through hard work, perseverance and
discipline; who strives for excellence and earns success; who explores ideas
and challenges the status quo; who is competitive, adaptable and resilient; and
who has the confidence to take risks and make bold decisions in the face of
adversity."
The question then becomes how do this look in our school. In
a number of my past post I have addressed assessment, grading, reporting,
instructional strategies, and other topics that we at Cardston Junior High School are
working on as we work to transform our school. The following provides
information about how this might look in our school.
The following quote from Inspiring Action on Education might
help in understanding our direction:
“Governments, business leaders, researchers and communities in
Alberta, Canada, and around the world, investigating the requirements of 21st
century learners, have identified the need for competencies to be more central
in the education of young people if they are to be active participants in an
increasingly knowledge-based and globalized society. Competencies enable
students to understand their world, engage fully in their education, relate
well to others, manage their lives wisely, and contribute positively to their
communities.
Competencies transcend subject areas and are developed through
learning approaches that include subject/discipline-specific learning outcomes.
A competencies-based, student-focused curriculum requires the attainment of
attitudes, skills and knowledge as well as values for living, learning and
working. Students are engaged thinkers, demonstrate ethical citizenship, and
develop their entrepreneurial spirit.”
The Alberta Education Minister Jeff Johnson recently hosted a
presentation on what the three E’s mean for parents and Educators. The
fallowing link will answer some question you might have about this
transformation in education.
Change is hard. Change can be painful, stressful, and sometimes unwanted. In the long run change allows for growth,
improvement, and person satisfaction. Please join with us as we move forward and
provide the best possible educational opportunity we can.
Go for the change! Great post. From Kaylynn
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