Research Wednesday | July 31, 2024

Dear Friends,

Here's the latest evidence of interest to educators and leaders. There has been a lot of ink spilled about artificial intelligence recently, but here is the single best source I’ve seen so far. It’s Brave New Words by Sal Kahn. I’ve been converted from skeptic to advocate by this book. I had worried that Kahn Academy was just helping privileged kids, who had great internet connectivity, get their homework done. But the evidence is clear – he helps students, including the poorest of the poor, not only get homework finished but create opportunities for a bright future. What started as a math homework factory now offers support, at no cost to students and parents, in English, math, science, and social studies.

Rather than replacing teachers with AI, he offers solid advice on how to use AI in the classroom. With more than 60% of teachers resisting AI, now is the time to make the case for constructive and ethical use of artificial intelligence in the classroom. Kahn does precisely that with evidence to support his claims. Whether parents and teachers are trying to raise the bar for high-achieving students or raise the cellar for struggling students, this book provides practical guidelines for how to do just that. 

Finally, at the risk of immodesty, please give some time to reading Fearless Classrooms this summer. If we are to pull out of the slump in student performance, it will be because it’s safe for students to fearlessly make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. Grading reform has been a train wreck in many districts, but if we just do one thing to improve student resilience, it would be to eliminate the average as the default final grade. Students need to seek and respect feedback and then use that feedback to improve their performance. It’s the only way that academic achievement will improve.

I can be reached at 781.710.9633 or douglas.reeves@creativeleadership.net, if you want to discuss this week’s research.

Best,

Doug