SIMPLY THE BEST! AND MINDSETS (Growth or fixed?)
SIMPLY THE BEST Why American Schools are the Best in the World!
Kindergarten through High School EVERYONE! No exceptions. No disclaimers. So why all the bad press? 3
There are people with political agendas that can benefit from bad news about public education. But time and time again, they choose the U.S. system of education. 4
But there s data We re falling behind so many other countries 5
US Public Education provides free access for all children to have an education not limited to affording a uniform, lunch, transportation, or even a home. Not even limited to legal residents. ANY child 6
Ask other countries, Who do you educate? Poor rural children? Homeless children? Children who cannot afford breakfast or lunch or uniforms? Only the U.S. provides for every child, regardless of ability to pay. 7
But their test scores are higher than ours! The U.S. tests a broad spectrum of children. If only your top students take the test, your average will be very high! If only your top and average students take the test, your average is still quite high. If ALL of your students take the test, your average will be lower. And poverty matters! Think of where our low performing schools are 8
In the U.S., the live birth rate is very high and five years later, these babies are entering the school system. Our schools will be responsible for educating them. 9
A good measure of any society is how people treat those who are the most vulnerable and least protected. Special needs students? In some countries, they are simply excluded. 10
The list of reasons why the United States system of education is the best in the world is long and wide. 11
Our curriculum has breadth that other countries would not even consider. We include societal issues, like drug and alcohol abuse/prevention, physical fitness, healthy eating, dental care, careers, etc. Every student continues to have options throughout their education to help them get into a four-year college. Extra-curricular programs abound that other countries do not even consider offering to their students. 12
Those who throw around test scores as the only measure of a school s success have done more to hurt education in the U.S. than any other culprit. They point to other countries with higher scores and never point out: limited access, low pre-term live-birth rates, high suicide rates, narrow curriculum, or excluded special needs students. 13
No other educational system in the world could deliver the curriculum that the United States does to the same students at anywhere near the level of quality that this system achieves! 14
SIMPLY THE BEST We are! 15
MINDSETS There are two kinds of mindsets: Growth and Fixed Mindsets are just beliefs and they re powerful! 16
In a fixed mindset, one believes that intelligence is fixed or set/unchangeable. Students believe that they cannot do something because it is simply too hard. 17
Research is saying that because we tell children they are smart it puts kids in a fixed mindset so they think they are either good or bad at something and nothing can change that. 18
People who have a fixed mindset are more about proving they re smart or talented success is about validating themselves. Do students need to prove their ability, or can they just let go and learn? 19
It s no wonder adolescents mobilize their resources, not for learning, but to protect their egos. One main way they do this is by not trying. Even the brightest students may want to exert as little effort as possible. 20
Those who live in a fixed mindset are less likely to engage in challenging or difficult work because they think it s just too hard and that they can t do it. 21
For these folks, effort is a bad thing because it means you re not talented or smart. If you were smart, you wouldn t need to put forth effort. 22
GROWTH MINDSET In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Students who embrace growth mindsets the belief that they can learn more or become smarter if they work hard and persevere may learn more, learn it more quickly, and view challenges and failures as opportunities to improve their learning and skills. 23
Teachers might, for example, intentionally praise student effort and perseverance instead of ascribing learning achievements to innate qualities or talents e.g., giving feedback such as You must have worked very hard, rather than You are so smart. 24
Let s make praise be specific so that the positive behavior is reinforced to children. 25
Therefore, we are moving toward praising the effort by saying: You really tried hard on that! You never gave up, even when it was hard! You have such a positive attitude! You are always prepared for class! You did a great job of helping with his homework! You are not afraid of a challenge. I like that! 26
In a fixed mindset: Your ability is on the line. Everyone s eyes are on you. People are evaluating you. Fell the tension, feel your ego bristle and waver? 27
In a growth mindset: You re a novice that s why you re here! You re here to learn. The teacher is a resource for learning. Feel the tension leave you? Feel your mind open up? 28
YOU (WE) CAN CHANGE A CHILD S MINDSET. 29
See the box on MINDSETS in your brochure for books on this topic. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. 30