The Pendulum Swings

For as long as I have been involved in education I have listened to the people say there is a need for educational reform. In my opinion it is not about reform, it is about transformation and the perpetual swing of a pendulum. For example:

Sustainability. In 1970 we celebrated the first Earth Day. Schools, colleges and communities demonstrated in favor of environmental reform. An executive order signed by then President Nixon was the start of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an agency whose purpose it was to protect human health and the environment. Twenty years later the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was founded to promote sustainability in how buildings are designed, constructed and operated, and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system was developed. Students across the country were once again front and center in support of sustainability. Fast forward to today’s news stories, and questions are being raised as to the “real” costs:benefit analysis of going green.

Science and Technology. In 1957 Sputnik was launched by Russia. Shortly thereafter, lawmakers began calling for a greater emphasis on science and math. In 1958 Washington passed the National Defense Education Act and more than $1 billion was infused into this “new” science curriculum. As important as this was at the time, the buzz soon died down. Fast-forward to the 2000s when global rankings, the economy and workforce development took center stage, and there was a renewed emphasis on what we now called S.T.E.M. While jobs are the desired outcome, our ability to fill those jobs is tied to education. Today we are hearing S.T.E.A.M., not S.T.E.M., as the value of the arts is seen in enhancing creativity and innovation. Unfortunately, while we believe that students need the ability to think critically, problem solve and collaborate to succeed, the focus on S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. appears to be driven by outside factors — jobs, and the idea that the U.S. has fallen “behind” — factors that are likely to change and once again diminish the importance of S.T.E.M. education.

A Perfect World. Things will continue to change and the pendulum will continue to swing. In my version of a perfect world, transformation would include social norms that focused on civility, personal responsibility, productivity and a return to the work ethic that built this great country. When coupled with a good education, no matter the current focus, we would have the potential to be unstoppable!

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Three U.S. Universities Install Acre Security Access Control Platform

    Cloud-native physical and digital security solutions company Acre Security recently announced that it has deployed its access control platform at three major universities in the U.S., according to a news release. Acre partnered with Atrium Campus to provide coverage for more than 69,000 students at the University of Virginia (UVA), George Mason University, and Rockhurst University.

  • cutaway view of a modern school building, showing various rooms and zones

    Layering AI into HVAC Systems Shows Reduction in Carbon Emissions

    Heating and cooling systems are just one of the many new ways that AI can be integrated into schools. According to a new study from Schneider Electric's Sustainability Research Institute, AI-powered HVAC systems in schools can lead to significant carbon emissions savings.

  • Texas District Finishes Construction on New Middle School, Admin Building

    The Westwood Independent School District recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Westwood Middle School and Administration Building in Palestine, Texas, according to a news release. The campus covers 106,000 square feet and has the capacity for 650 students in grades 6–8, and it will also play home to the district’s staff and administration.

  • Designing Learning Spaces that Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

    In today’s education landscape, schools are more than just centers for learning; they are integral to the holistic development and well-being of students. The global pandemic underscored the importance of addressing mental health in schools, as productivity dropped, stress levels rose and students faced challenges managing emotions.

Digital Edition