A while back, I came across one of the TED Talks by Ken Robinson. It was refreshing to watch because it upended all that we consider when seeking an education for our children. Childhood is probably the most creative part of our lives that, if harnessed properly, can change the trajectory of the world as we know it. How many closeted or frustrated creatives are meandering through life with a sense of dissatisfaction and malaise? The answer could be as simple as we didn't have the proper tools or framework to explore and cultivate our creative impulse.
This is not to say that schools that adhere to the state curriculum don't work; but it's an affront to the idea that one size fits all children. We've been moved into what I consider dangerous territory because we're presently given the one size fits all model in most schools. Teachers aren't allowed to explore the possibility that education needs to be tailored to the needs of children. Not the other way around where all children must tailor their scope to fit the needs of state exams.
You may wonder what can you do against a beast like the Department of Education. I honestly cannot tell you. But I think if parents come to the table with a better awareness of the needs of their children and their community, and articulate what they want, that's the first step. Subsequently, of course, it will take some organizing. However, we have to start somewhere.
We can take the first step by looking at this TED Talk with Ken Robinson called How Schools Kill Creativity (link provided below). It may provide the beginnings of something revolutionary in education. It can't hurt.
bit.ly/1xzYXdp
Project Brownstone (projectbrownstone.org) applies a holistic approach to empowering and developing underserved youths in Harlem by using education as a tool. Project Brownstone challenges kids to see themselves from a different perspective, and to imagine themselves as entrepreneurs and leaders.
