The single factor that should lead our choice and voice is what's best for children?
How do we decide what's best for children?
First, our mission in schools is to give students a solid foundation of concept, skill, and knowledge. To do that with success, research points us in the direction of engagement, inspiration, empowerment, and research-base efforts.
Hence, when it comes to making decisions in schools, we need to ask these questions:
- Will this decision serve children well?
- How will we make this decision in a streamlined, efficient, targeted, and responsive way?
- How will this decision impact student learning?
- Is this decision supported by research?
- Is this decision doable with the current schedule, resources, and support? If not, how can we make change to make the decision doable.
- How will we assess the decision? What will do to respond effectively to assessments?
- Did we include all voices from the learning community (family members, educators, students, leaders, and community members) in the decision process?
It's amazing to acknowledge that a students-first attitude in schools is somewhat of a radical attitude. In the past, curriculum, policy, specific individuals, finances and politics have sometimes dominated school house decisions and work, but when we really begin to think about what is best for students, that is when the vital debates begin since in many ways it's a new notion to put students first when it comes to decisions in education.
