Why JLN?
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There is an educational crisis happening right now in the United States - just take a look at the statistics:
Could it be that by focusing solely on academic achievement, we’re somehow filtering out something that’s essential to true learning?
- According to the 2012 Building a Grad Nation Report, only 75% of U.S. students graduate high school in four years.
- The U.S. ranked 17th in reading and even lower in math on the 2009 PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) exam.
- Despite years at #1 worldwide, the U.S. is now ranked 14th for college graduation rate by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
- Teacher satisfaction was recently ranked at 44% by the Metlife Survey of the American Teacher, a low that has not been hit since 1989.
- According to the National Center of Education Statistics, the U.S. now spends nearly 50% more per student than in 1983 when A Nation At Risk sent a clarion call regarding the fading superiority of the U.S. schools, yet the percentage of Americans grading the schools at “C” or below rose from 58% in 1985 to 79% in 2010.
- Alternative schools have flourished through the charter school movement, now serving nearly 5% of U.S. students, and more parents exercise school choice in some way than in any time in our history. Unfortunately, this market model has failed to transform school performance - the 2009 Stanford CREDO study found that only 17% of charters outperformed their standard public school peers.
- The standards and accountability movement has gained steam for three decades. Nearly every state has state standards, and all states follow the dictates of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) to test students in grades 3-8, with serious consequences for schools and systems that do not perform. US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, estimates that 82% of schools will fail to meet the test expectations this school year. While intended to bring equity, the result has been to strip local schools and communities of power and pride.
- In addition to the previously mentioned drop out rates and teacher satisfaction rates, it is also notable that NCLB has directly led to a narrowing of the curriculum, with 66% of teachers on one poll indicating that the focus on English, Math, and Test Taking Skills had reduced time for Science, Social Studies, Art, and other important topics.
Could it be that by focusing solely on academic achievement, we’re somehow filtering out something that’s essential to true learning?
That's all good, but what can I do about it?
It's as simple as ...
1. Join the Joyful Learning Network!
2. Spread the word and encourage your communities to join the network.
3. Use the network to share ideas, provide support,learn, and advocate
4. Have fun and bring joy to everything you do!
1. Join the Joyful Learning Network!
2. Spread the word and encourage your communities to join the network.
3. Use the network to share ideas, provide support,learn, and advocate
4. Have fun and bring joy to everything you do!
