The Future of Schooling

by Goodwin, Bryan; Lefkowits, Laura; Woempner, Carolyn; Hubbell, Elizabeth

• ISBN13: 9781935542452
• ISBN10: 1935542451
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-10-31
• Publisher: Solution Tree

Summary

Although much about the future is uncertain, trends reveal patterns of behavior that help to resolve some of that uncertainty. McREL has thoroughly researched and tracked these trends to provide readers with a glimpse into the future world of education. The Future of Schooling presents four scenarios of education in 2020. Scenarios are carefully researched stories, full of detail about current and emerging trends that adds credibility and brings forth new understandings. Scenarios are not predictions of the future. They are plausible representations of what could happen. McREL has researched not only those factors that relate specifically to education but also the political environment, the economy, security issues, technological innovations, and social values¿all of which will impact and contribute to the unfolding of the future of education. The scenarios in The Future of Schooling were built upon questions such as: ¿ What if the current, multibillion-dollar federal investment in education succeeds in identifying and scaling up numerous innovations that transform schooling as we know it? ¿ What if, on the other hand, investing billions of new dollars fails to create dramatic improvements in education? Will the public continue to support public schools as we know them? ¿ What if online learning becomes as commonplace in the schools of tomorrow as chalkboards were in the schools of yesterday? ¿ What if technology allows students to proceed at their own pace along individualized pathways, measuring their progress in real time at each step of the way? ¿ What if the world¿s best teachers are able to broadcast their lessons to thousands of students each day? By analyzing their content and discussing their implications, the scenarios offered in The Future of Schooling can help educators identify the actions they should take today to maximize their chances of success tomorrow.

Author Biography

Bryan Goodwin is the vice president of communications and marketing at McREL. Laura Lefkowits is director of special projects for AdvancED, a school and district accreditation and improvement organization. Carolyn Woempner is senior director of corporate management support at McREL. Elizabeth Hubbell is a lead consultant in the Curriculum and Instruction Department at McREL.

Table of Contents

About McREL	p. vii
About the Authors	p. ix
Preface	p. xiii
Introduction	p. 1
Why Scenarios?	p. 3
Exploration of the Future	p. 7
A Look Ahead to 2020	p. 8
Welcome to 2020	p. 11
Our Scenario-Planning Process	p. 13
Using the Scenarios	p. 20
Drivers of a Changing World	p. 23
Economy	p. 24
Technology	p. 29
Population	p. 34
Education Policy	p. 44
A Metaphor for Planning in Uncertain Times	p. 50
Scenario A: Test Day at Bronx City Day School	p. 53
Deep Causes	p. 54
The Scenario	p. 60
Reflection Questions	p. 70
Scenario B: Education to the Max	p. 73
Deep Causes	p. 74
The Scenario	p. 81
Reflection Questions	p. 89
Scenario C: Who Killed Buster the Bearcat?	p. 91
Deep Causes	p. 92
The Scenario	p. 94
Reflection Questions	p. 104
Scenario D: My Path to Juilliard	p. 107
Deep Causes	p. 108
The Scenario	p. 111
Reflection Questions	p. 118
Taking the Next Step	p. 121
Identify Implications	p. 122
Develop Options	p. 123
Monitor Trends	p. 125
Take Action	p. 125
How Anticipating Change Can Change Everything	p. 128
Resources to Keep the Conversation Alive	p. 133
Books and Reports	p. 133
Websites	p. 136
Videos	p. 137
References and Resources	p. 139
Index	p. 151
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