The Pendulum Swings

For as long as I have been involved in education, I have heard people say there is a need for reform. In my opinion, it is not about reform, it is about transformation and the perpetual swing of a pendulum. Here are a couple of examples.

Sustainability: In 1970, we celebrated the first Earth Day. Then-President Nixon signed an executive order creating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the purpose of protecting human health and the environment. Twenty years later, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was founded to promote sustainability in building design, construction and operation, and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system was developed.

Fast forward to today — states and individuals are in the news questioning the “real” costs:benefit analysis of going green.

Science and Technology: In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, putting our national security and pride on the line. Shortly after Sputnik’s launch, the country’s lawmakers began calling for a greater emphasis on science and math. In 1958, Congress passed the National Defense Education Act, infusing more than a $1 billion into this “new” science curriculum. As important as this was at the time, the buzz soon died down and other issues moved to the forefront.

Fast forward to the 2000’s — global rankings, the economy and workforce development were center stage. The emphasis was renewed and what we now call S.T.E.M. was created. Today, S.T.E.M. has morphed into S.T.E.A.M. because of the realization that the arts enhance 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. once again 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./S.T.E.A.M. education.

A Perfect World: There is no doubt that 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

  • Midland ISD Starts Construction on Two New High Schools

    The Midland Independent School District recently announced that it will break ground on two new high schools in Midland, Texas, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Pfluger Architects, Lee Lewis Construction, and Satterfield & Pontikes to create a total of over 1.5 million square feet for 8,400 students in grades 9–12.

  • K12 Tutoring Earns Every Student Succeeds Act Level II Validation

    Personalized online tutoring service K12 Tutoring recently announced that it has received Level II validation underneath the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), according to a news release. The independently validated study provides evidence of K12 Tutoring’s role in creating positive student outcomes through effective academic intervention and research-based solutions.

  • University of Kentucky Sees Positive Results from Energy Efficiency Program

    The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently announced the results of its Energy Program in Facilities Management, put into place eight years ago, according to a news release. Between the fiscal years of 2017 and 2025, the university’s campus grew by 13.6% while the energy use per square foot dropped by 19.2%.

  • 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.

Digital Edition