Saturday, October 4, 2014

What Schools Do the Samrtest Kids Attend? According to Author Ripley


How to spot a world-class education

Amanda Ripley, author of the smartest kids in the world, offers suggestions for that school visit to choose a school for your child.  “Every child is different.  An outstanding school for one child would be hell on earth for another.  Still, when it comes to finding a school that is rigorous and alive, full of spirit and learning, there are a few reliable questions to ask.”

“If you are trying to understand a school, you can ignore most of the information you are given.   The best way to gauge the quality of a school is to spend time – even just twenty minutes – visiting classrooms while school is in session.”  Watch the students.  Remember rigorous learning actually looks rigorous.  Talk to the students.  Ask – what are you doing?  Why?

Listen to other parents.  What is important to them?  “Wherever you live, if you can find a community or school where parents and educators share this baseline belief [rigorous education], then you have found something more valuable to more children than the best football program on earth.”

Ask the hard questions.  “World-class educators have a vision for where they are going, tools to determine if they have lost their way, and a culture of perpetual change in order to do better.”

“World-class educators exist, but they are fighting against the grain of culture and institutions.  That fight drains them of energy and time.  If they ever win, it will be because parents and students rose up around them, convinced that our children cannot only handle a rigorous education but that they crave it as never before.”

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