In December, Sarah D. Sparks interviewed the President of the Carnegie Foundation, Tim Knowles for EdWeek. From Knowles:
"We learn through immersive experience, we learn from mentors, from experts in apprenticeships and internships, and from peers. As individuals, we learn at highly variable rates depending on the subject of study. So the idea that time and learning can be conflated at such a deep level as we see it in our current system really needs to be changed."
The Carnegie Unit is about as relevant to our teenagers as a flip phone. It's like trying to navigate a complex landscape with a road map. The world is always changing, and it's time for our schools to catch up.
"By making the Carnegie unit so instrumental to what we define as school, the classroom and the schoolhouse have become almost a singular place for learning."
The Carnegie Unit has become a barrier to progress, hindering many schools from meeting students' potential. We need to improve by providing new learning models promoting immersive experiences, real-world projects, and flexibility. We must overcome conventional classroom hurdles to embrace new initiatives such as project-based, place-based, and competency-based learning.
Yet, teachers cannot do it alone. They need leaders who can balance risk and safety while promoting innovation and collaboration. Together, we must test new ideas and provide students access to various learning experiences that prepare them for future challenges. It is time to move forward with imagination, courage, and a dedication to excellence.