What about PARENTS?
PARENTS DON'T GO TO SCHOOL.
LEARNING
HOW MANY PARENTS know verb conjugation, paradigm shifts, algebra, trigonometry?
That's why they send their children to school.
EDUCATING
HOW MANY parents know guided imagery, re-framing, neuro psychology informed exercises, identifying dyslexia?
This is another reason to send children to school.
What about "GOOD" SCHOOLS?
CONFUSING CORRELATION WITH CAUSATION

BELIEVING TODAY'S " GOOD" SCHOOLS
ARE BETTER THAN TODAY'S "BAD" SCHOOLS
IS LIKE BELIEVING THE ROOSTER'S CROW
CAUSES THE DAWN.
WHEN IT IS ONLY CORRELATED WITH THE DAWN.
FOR EXAMPLE: TWO SCHOOLS IN SAN JOSE UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT:
ALLEN ELEMENTARY
with FEWER well-educated parents, has LOW math test scores.
BOOKSIN ELEMENTARY
with MORE well-educated parents, has HIGH math test scores.
THESE TWO SCHOOLS ARE THE SAME.
The SAME central planning department
designs the SAME teaching schedule for BOTH
designs the SAME mid-year tests for BOTH
assigns the SAME textbooks for BOTH.
The SAME human resources department
hires teachers, largely from the SAME local teacher colleges for BOTH.

BOOKSIN ELEMENTARY IS CORRELATED WITH BETTER RESULTS
— DOES NOT CAUSE BETTER RESULTS.
The CAUSE is OUTSIDE the school: MORE well-educated parents.
Technically, this is called a "SPECIAL" or "OUTSIDE" cause of variation.
For BOOKSIN ELEMENTARY to be truly a BETTER school
it would need to change INSIDE by using a new method.
We propose the BEAUTIFUL LEAD OUT method.
What about MONTESSORI, WALDORF?
INVENTED 100+ YEARS AGO:
BEFORE DEVELOPMENTS IN PSYCHOLOGY
AND METHODS TO WORK TOGETHER.
MONTESSORI and WALDORF were clearly on to something.
The Lead out method is in alignment with MANY aspects of both.
MONTESSORI
It's difficult to argue with the Montessori emphasis on developing natural interests, hands-on learning and real-world skills.
The emphasis on independence and students as naturally driven and able to learn on their own seems well-placed also.
And it makes sense, as Maria Montessori believed, that children unfold as they get older.
WALDORF
Developing critical thinking, practical skills and artistic ability — who can argue with these goals?
Developing creativity, unlocking the imagination. Why not!
That in Waldorf schools teachers have more autonomy, as do students, the Lead out method is clearly in favor of this.
Interestingly, a focus on qualitative assessments is in alignment with one of the giants of modern quality:
W. Edwards Deming, famously said
"The most important things you cannot measure.",
and this from a statistician!
On the other hand, eschewing quantitative measures as Waldorf does, we believe, is throwing the baby out with the bath water.
MONTESSORI and WALDORF are MISSING the "HOW?".
HOW does one accomplish the BEAUTIFUL goals of Montessori and Waldorf?
Only in the LAST FEW DECADES have answers to "HOW?" become available.
MISSING the BASIC: EDUCATING for AUTONOMY
PSYCHOLOGY WAS IN IT'S INFANCY 100 YEARS AGO
There have been amazing developments in psychology, neuro psychology.
Many techniques have been developed: guided imagery, studies in volition (the will), self-awareness, the whole mindfulness movement.
Consider dyslexia, how it is understood to be an advantage in science, as patterns are more readily recognized. For issues with reading many work-arounds have been developed.
Treatments for people on the spectrum have flourished, leading to quality of life improvements.
Tremendous advances have been made in HOW to develop HUMAN POTENTIAL.
MISSING MODERN PLANNING
MODERN METHODS FOR WORKING TOGETHER HADN'T BEEN INVENTED 100 YEARS AGO
The one method which did exist 100 years ago, is the very same 1-SIZE-FITS-ALL method schools still use today. This invention of Frederick Winslow Taylor worked brilliantly for adding value incrementally, such as in factories making Model T cars.
The phrase "knowledge worker" wasn't even coined until 1959, by Peter F. Drucker.
The Deming quality method wasn't known outside of Japan until 1980.
Scrum, the widely used lean/agile technique, was first presented at an OPPSLA conference in 1995.
RESULTS are MIXED at best
Two reviews
Montessori: An Effective Learning Approach or a Matter of Faith?
The Montessori Comeback
Five California public schools with Montessori in their name
All of these schools are probably (definitely) using the 1-SIZE-FITS-ALL method, with Montessori mixed in.
Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary
North Shoreview Montessori
Parkside Montessori
Ramona Community Montessori
San Francisco Public Montessori
OTHER FACTORS
YOU MAY BE WONDERING...

What about PARENTS?

What about "GOOD" SCHOOLS?
