A few weeks ago, CAST Schools announced that we had the honor of being chosen as part of a national Future of High School Network. We are still processing the fact that we were selected as only one of 2 dozen schools, school networks, or school districts singled out because they are challenging the status quo.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is leading this charge, arguing that there is an invisible consensus among parents, business leaders, students and educators that learning needs to be more engaging, relevant and meaningful.
Put in plain English: no employer will ever ask a prospective employee how they scored on the state’s standardized tests, or even high school grades, or how many credit hours they earned. They certainly do not give young people a sense of purpose. Yet these units of measurement drive almost everything that happens in most schools.
At our leadership retreat this week, we shared a bit more about how this group of trailblazers is pushing for what they call a “new architecture” for high schools.
Chatting with an assistant principal at one of our CAST Schools, I was struck by his response to this framework: “Finally,” he said.
That new architecture is defined as: a) a broader set of goals for student success, b) rigorous and engaging learning experiences, and c) meaningful and actionable signaling systems.
Translated into CAST Schools language, as a network we have committed to preparing our students not only to pass the state’s standardized exams, but to earn college credits, and experience the world of work through internships, jobs and apprenticeships. More importantly, we are committed to developing their sense of purpose, their future plan, and the durable skills such as professional communication, problem solving and teamwork that will enable them to be successful in those future pursuits.
One of our core pillars is authentic learning, and we push for our students to have experiences outside the classroom, through field experiences, career-connected learning, and leadership opportunities. Students have the opportunity to engage in rigorous cross-curricular projects, to present their ideas, and receive feedback from caring adults, leading to increased relevance and engagement.
The term “signaling systems” was new to me, but it represents the importance of measuring what matters. In education, we have a saying: “measure what you treasure.” At CAST Schools, we have a holistic graduate profile of the skills and experiences students should graduate with, as well as college credits earned, work-based learning, and industry-based certifications. With the help of Carnegie, we hope to strengthen our ability, in each of these areas, with the ultimate goal of creating schools where students love to learn and are able to achieve both their potential, and their purpose.
Jeanne Russell
Executive Director
CAST Schools