The Global Achievement Gap

by

Tony Wagner

If you have not heard by now let me inform you that the Flower Child was raised in Iowa, U. S.A. During the recent 2009 Holiday to the Holy Land a.k.a. Iowa and other connected states the Flower Child had the opportunity to read an interesting book entitled "The Global Achievement Gap."

As we all fret about poor education I get the impression that the educators in Iowa maybe on the brink of dynamic change. Educators in Iowa are reading this book.

I will not attempt to quote the whole book here, but I will highlight some statements contained in the book which impressed me:

• We must teach students to use minds well.
• Students must learn and develop problem solving skills
• Educators must ask the correct questions to enable critical thinking

The author visited many schools throughtout America. He noted that when visiting High Schools that the Trophy Cases highlighted athletic achievements while academic achievements were often overlooked. In short there was no visual evidence of academic achievement.

The author introduced "Seven Survival Skills" which all students must achieve. Mr. Wagner also stated that education in China features "Thinking Schools - A Learning Nation!!!

He cited research which interviewed college students which focused on what they should have obtained in High School. Most former High School Students indicated that they did not learn how to think. Yes, they learned answers for a test, but they did not learn how to think a problem through. In an ideal educational system, students would be explaining a problem versus repeating canned answers.

The most informative comment Mr. Wagner made was" "In education the problem is the adults, not the students."

In the discussion regarding student motivation the author stated:

• "Kids today have everything they want or need - except some adult discipline."
• To motivate simply ask a student where they want to be in __ years? What goals have they set for themselves?
• Students must be self motivated

It was very interesting to me to read about the "High Tech High" in San Diego where the expenditure per student was $6,200.00. This school is obtaining superior results

While the book was an interesting read for me I must encourage our Georgia educators, especially our Bibb County System to obtain this book to glean refreshing insights into education. I will always remember the comment "In Education the problem is the adults, not the students."

As I pondered this statement I realized that it is I, myself, my peers, the members of Boards of Education, the school staffs and the administration of the schools systems who must be engaged in producing a better educated citizen for the future.

In conclusion a good education rest on educators asking "the right questions and engaging others in vital conversations." Critical Thinking - the new buzz words. After all, as employers seek willing workers in today's modern high tech world, they want problem solvers. Problem solving can be learned if our education allows it.

The mantra for today and tomorrow is an employee who can solve a problem in an effective, efficient and economical way. We can no longer measure academic achievement with multiple choice test. We need citizens who can think and employees who can solve problems in the work place.

From my point of view that was the important fact contained in this book ""The Global Achievement Gap." If we in the United States of America desire to remain a dynamic economy and in some situations regain our status; we simply must do a much better job in educating our future citizens/our future employees.