NCTAF Learning Studios Close the Opportunity Gap: A Response to David Brooks
David Brooks warns that if we don’t take equal opportunity seriously we are headed toward a grim future – a growing divide between low-income and high-income communities in a scenario that amounts to nothing less than national suicide. To change that picture we must act now to make human capital investments in schools that enrich the learning opportunities available to low-income children.
The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) is calling on the nation’s leaders to mobilize an army of learning teams composed of teachers, students, and professionals from industry and government. NCTAF has been implementing these teams in Learning Studios where skilled experts join forces with teachers and their students to tackle real-world problems in their communities. In Learning Studios, students have an opportunity to be curious, thoughtful learners as they engage in collaborative knowledge development and innovative problem solving in year-long projects that truly prepare them for college, careers, and life.
Imagine schools where learners of every age and background participate in a cross-generational learning culture that fosters a common sense of purpose. A culture in which adults and youth team up to become agents of change rather than targets of change, community resources rather than populations to be served. Youth who thrive because learning teams surround them with the support they need to succeed. A learning culture that develops the innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders our nation needs to constructively participate in the global community. NCTAF Learning Studios make that vision a reality.
To learn more about NCTAF Learning Studios click here.
To read NCTAF’s report on ”Teaming Up for 21st Century Teaching and Learning” click here.
