This August, we spoke with leaders in school reform in Aspen, Colorado about the importance of understanding the basic fact that students want rigor and rules as much as educators do. The caveat is that they want these applied to the challenge of doing real work in settings that have adequate resources, operate with a deep respect for all participants, and provide opportunities for building relationships and taking on responsibilities. Perhaps most important, it has forced a focus on high schools, it has made clear that schools, districts, and states will be held publicly accountable for preparing students for the 21st century. It should also cause us to focus on student motivation. It is equally important that high schools generate not just a motivation to pass exit exams, but a real motivation for lifelong learning.
High schools have to do more than graduate good test takers, they have to graduate good learners.
If every student is entitled to this type of transitional support, the senior year may need to be made attractive and assessable to students who left school, without realizing what they were giving up.