Progressive Heads Meeting

At the recent ISACS heads of school conference in Chicago, I helped facilitate a conclave of heads from progressive schools. Out of the 200 or so ISACS schools, about 20 schools categorize themselves as progressive.

The specific question discussed was "Are progressive schools finding themselves in a more or less marketable position in a down economy and with increased global competition?"

There was an overall feeling of optimism throughout the hour-long discussion. A number of heads felt that a backlash was beginning against high-stakes testing and rigor, i.e., more homework, more content, faster pace, and more student stress. More and more parents are looking for greater balance at home and at school in their children's lives.

To most of these heads, progressive schools provide students with a competitive advantage by emphasizing the development of skills and competencies needed for success in a competitive world: critical thinking, problem solving, initiative, curiosity, imagination, collaboration, and effective communication.

Heads related stories of students who had transferred to their schools from highly traditional ones. These students, who often had become overly stressed and anxious at their previous school, quickly regained their confidence and enthusiasm and began producing exemplary work in a more child-centered, nurturing school environment.

Even with these testimonials, there was an undercurrent of doubt among some heads that parents, worried for their children in a uncertain and more competitive world, would continue to question progressive tenets that often elude quantitative measures. Nevertheless, one head asked prospective parents at an open house to write on a 3 by 5 card what outcome they most wanted for their children from school. The overwhelming answer was "self-confidence."

We ended the meeting by identifying how schools could better illustrate the benefits and outcomes of a progressive educaiton. Some of the ideas were as follows: alumni testimonials of how a progressive education provided a foundation for success in high school, college, and beyond; have students be more front and center in open houses, school assemblies, and other community events; include more videos on school websites capturing progressive classrooms in action; more clearly explain to parents that a progressive education is different from a traditional one and that, yes, there will be an inevitable transition to high school but, since their children have developed a sense of resilience and persistence, they will adjust quickly to new challenges.

The meeting included a number of heads from traditional schools who later confided to me about the "hollowness and one-dimensionality" of their schools. They did not feel their students were engaged at school and were not learning to think critically or creatively.

Like most of the heads in this meeting, I am optimistic that more and more parents will see the benefits of a progressive education in a competitive world.