Friday, January 20, 2012

rational rationale


Over the past four years, our district has allowed a space to listen to youth, without an agenda. Two years ago, this listening turned into a four year plan to redefine school, to redefine success. Year four, has the community as one big resource center for its people, as they gather in spaces per choice, working on things that matter to them. Learning to learn, rather than focusing on content within a compulsory and publicly prescribed curriculum. A community focused more on quality of life than becoming dependent on consumerism, policy, prescription. 
crazy no? too utopian, yes? chaotic, oh my..
big push back for quiet revolution is how ridiculous it is.
what about the basics? and by that most certainly mean math, and by that most certainly include (as per the common core and pisa) - rationalizing denominators. i'm sure most of you use this skill quite often. no?

We are seeking a shift in mindset, respectfully questioning everything. People becoming more mindful of who they are, what it means to be fully alive. Our county is sixth in the nation in suicide rate. Once every nine days someone takes their life. The measure we are currently using toward success, the actions we are currently using to fix problems, even to determine which problems are problems, aren’t boding us well. Colorado received 14 million dollars for Race To The Top initiatives. If one takes time to look at the details of the race, it’s about getting better at taking a test, a test that includes rationalizing a denominator. We are intently experimenting with ways to rework the seven hours a day, the twelve plus years, and the ensuing mindset, we blindly accept as an occupation for our children. The future us.


Oscar Wilde writes, most people are other people. 
We are working on why.


We are working on moving forward without the need for rational reassurance.


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