Can a Curriculum Make Children Happy?
Curriculums come and curriculums go!
If you’re old enough, you might remember “new math?” Gone! Click here to review that history.
Occasionally, however, a successful curriculum appears timeless and just hangs in there. How about Hooked on Phonics? Timeless!
I worked for Montgomery County Public Schools for 19 years. I didn’t keep count, but during those years, curriculums came and curriculums went. The only specific curriculum I remember was a reading/language arts one used during the 1980’s that placed total emphasis on reading whole books and real literature. I actually think I remember because it was so logical. Real books, real literature—what a brilliant way to teach reading.
Because curriculums come and go, I haven’t really paid a lot of attention to MCPS’s new curriculum du jour. That curriculum is simply titled Curriculum 2.0. Click hereto learn the basics. By the way, was there a Curriculum 1.0 that we all missed?
And so being curious, I started poking through the MCPS public website and found this video of Superintendent Joshua Starr on 2.0.
What an interesting video. And what did I learn? Three things:
- Before Curriculum 2.0, we didn’t allow children to think on their own.
- Curriculum 2.0 is making children happier.
- With Curriculum 2.0 our children are taking ownership of their learning.
I’m fine with folks hyping things—that’s the way of the modern world. But some of what’s said on the above video is just dumb and unnecessary propaganda. (Happier children? Compared to what?)
Anyone who knows me and reads this blog knows I’m a serious critic of MCPS. And yet, I’m always willing to admit that MCPS has always been a better-than-average school district. When there are academic awards and prizes up for grabs our students consistently come out near the top or on top. I would like to believe this happens because our students are great scholars. And their scholarship includes being both creative and self-directed. Those who believe less are selling our kids short and overselling the value (and magic) of Curriculum 2.0.
And will Curriculum 2.0 made your child happier? Who knows? Let’s just hope it helps them master the multiplication times tables. But if it doesn't help them master the art of reading you can always turn to Hooked on Phonics.
Susan Byrne
8:16 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
My impression of curriculum is that it is for the benefit of the adults in the learning community, not for the students. It is simply a way to frame the educational philosophy and values that are considered the most vital to creating the optimal learning opportunities for students. Given the generalized focus of the educational leaders in MCPS is excessively on MSA scores and the narrowed academic range those address, Dr. Starr is on target when he states that MCPS doesn't have a student learning problem but rather an adult learning problem. Curriculum 2.0 will hopefully refocus the MCPS educators and administrators on the importance of teaching the whole child in ways that put education back in the context of human development and known brain science and move it out of the restricted realm of high stakes testing. Happier teachers will be the likely outcome. Teachers who are freed from the 1950s disciplinary culture needed to enforce the intense pressure on performance will have time and energy to support kids with kindness and respect. Those are results I would be happy to see from Curriculum 2.0 but I am skeptical that this alone can change the MCPS culture.