Imagine that we have been given the opportunity to completely redesign the concept of school. Where would we go?  

During the COVID19 pandemic, educators have been forced to reimagine almost every aspect of school, changing our ideas about what’s truly essential. As we rest, recover and reflect on the past year, we can also refine our vision for the future. NAIS President Donna Orem and celebrated author and speaker on the future of education, Michael B. Horn, join us to talk about redesigning the purpose and future of schools, collaborations between K12 and higher education, and creating a culture of wellbeing in school communities.

In this episode, hosts Tim Fish and Lisa Kay Solomon dig into a number of big ideas, starting with a full examination of the purpose of schools. Donna brings up the historical purpose of education, but one relevant theme that surfaces throughout the episode is that purpose is also the future of schools. But how do school leaders and parents understand the purpose of school? Are they on the same page? And where does higher ed fit in?

Building on questions about the way parents and educators view student achievement, Michael points out areas of disconnect between K12 schools and higher education. He shares his views on what needs to change in terms of creating a stronger culture of collaboration between colleges and K12, as well as how the current dynamic feeds a culture of fear among parents. Donna also wonders how that culture of fear holds schools back from creating a more purpose-driven educational environment, and how parents and schools could become better partners in helping students pursue their passions.

Some of the key questions Tim and Lisa explore in this interview about the purpose of schools include:

• We need to increase collaboration between K12 and higher ed. What could that look like? 
• Independent schools should become centers of wellbeing. How might that be the defining value proposition for many of our schools? 
• Purpose-driven education is the future. How do we design schools and universities to develop passion, purpose, and well-being? 
• How do we move from a narrative of fear to one of hope?

Resource List:

• Begin With the End: What’s the Purpose of Schooling? -- “As we seek to build schools back better, individual schooling communities must be clear about purpose and priorities.” Michael Horn, in Forbes
• https://michaelbhorn.com/ -- Keep up with Michael’s work
• The National Association of Independent Schools -- Stay up-to-date on all the developments in the Independent Schools community
• Hopes and Fears: Working with Today’s Independent School Parents -- Make a major difference in how well your school works with parents. Learn practical, empathic advice from psychologists Rob Evans and Michael Thompson in this book from the National Association of Independent Schools.
• The Future of Education Substack -- “We’re living during an amazing opportunity to transform learning worldwide so that all individuals can achieve their full potential.”
• Future U Podcast - Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn discuss what’s next for higher ed and talk with the newsmakers you want to hear from most.
• Class Disrupted Podcast -- A weekly pandemic education podcast hosted by Michael Horn and Diane Tavenner
• Michael Horn on Youtube -- Hear from Michael on the latest topics of importance in the education world
• More books by Michael:
• Disrupting Class 
• Choosing College
• Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools

In This Episode:

• “I went back a few years ago and found the historical purpose -- which is to bring people to as full a realization as possible of what it is to be human. Isn’t that the greatest purpose to think about? What does it mean to be human today?” (6:36)
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• "Hope is your super power. Don't let anybody or anything make you hopeless. Hope is the enemy of injustice. Hope is what will get you to stand up when people tell you to sit down." (11:59)
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• “I do think that the walls between higher ed and K-12 need to come down in more concerted ways. And you think about how we have divisions between those two institutions. That is a function of history, not perhaps what we need in the current moment.” (19:22)
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• “So I think if K through 12 and higher ed can get together to really figure out how to open up these pathways, how to help students really explore their purpose and to, you know, really meet that potential head on. It's going to create a different society for us and, you know, that's my hope. That's how I want to use my super power, in creating the world that looks like that. “ (26:29)
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• “We need to blow past the zero sum game to get to a positive sum world.” (27:30)

Full Transcript

About Our Guests:

Donna Orem is the President of the National Association of Independent Schools. Prior to joining NAIS, she was the vice president for products and services development at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).Orem speaks frequently about leadership, governance, innovation, trends in independent education, workforce development, and student health and well-being. She is co-author of the NAIS Trustee Handbook and contributes regularly to Independent School magazine, the Independent Ideas blog, the NAIS Trendbook, and Looking Ahead. 

Connect with Donna on LinkedIn

Michael Horn speaks and writes about the future of education and works with a portfolio of education organizations to create a world in which all individuals can build their passions and fulfill their potential. He is the author of many books, including Choosing College, and Goodnight Box, a children’s story. Michael is also a senior strategist at Guild Education, which partners with leading employers and organizations to help offer education and upskilling opportunities to America’s workforce. He is also the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, a non-profit think tank.

Connect with Michael on Twitter: @michaelbhorn

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn 

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