Calm down, parents: Math standards boost skills, understanding
January 25th, 2016Continuing our theme of featuring students’ writing, this week we spotlight one of our 10th graders who is a passionate supporter of education reform and high standards for K-12 schooling. Sahar Zadeh is a member of the statewide Student Voice Team, a part of Kentucky’s Prichard Committee efforts to mobilize adult and school-age citizens to strengthen public education. She wrote an opinion piece about math education which has received widespread attention, and is pleased to have us provide a link to its publication in the Lexington Herald-Leader. Congratulations, Sahar, on this publication and thanks for your willingness to share it with the Shrop Ed community.
We expect that many of our readers will share our appreciation of Sahar’s zeal and eloquence, and maybe a few of you will be inspired to think about what you can do to have an impact on your own educational environments. Whether you’re in a public or private day school, a boarding school, or college … or whether you’re a parent reading our blog, each of you has the power to change the world!
Article published January 3, 2016
Written by: Sahar Zadeh
Math is currently being taught in a way most people over the age of 30 may not understand.
It doesn’t take anything more than a multi-step subtraction problem to result in a wide spectrum of reactions, including Facebook posts from confused parents that go viral.
But there is a reason behind the creation and implementation of our state’s math standards, and it is not a mystery.
Read more at Lexington Herald Leader >>
Tagged: Boarding school, College, High school, Opportunity
Get On Board: Boarding Schools, a Great Alternative to Local High Schools
September 25th, 2015I’ve visited several excellent boarding school campuses this fall and returned energized by the marvelous programs and individuals encountered. These visits make me want to relive my own high school years, this time spending them in a boarding environment (I loved my summer at Andover after 10th grade, but returned home to my public high school outside of St. Louis).
The opportunities for mentoring are extraordinary; the combination of structure alongside responsibility taken on by students provides tremendous opportunity for growth; the sense of gaining independence from home in a healthy way while becoming part of a larger, extended family comprised of students, faculty and staff is excellent preparation for life as a young adult.
Many schools communicate their philosophy in a compelling fashion; one of the schools that I visited recently, Blair Academy, describes the hallmarks that define their school quite clearly. Although this link takes you to Blair’s site and the seven principles undergirding their school’s community, these principles also undergird all excellent boarding school communities. If you’re considering boarding school for your child, I hope you’ll take time to explore this site and gain a fuller understanding of why the experience can be not only beneficial but exceptionally rewarding for students fortunate enough to have such a choice.
Published by Blair Academy in 2010
The Seven Principles That Define a Blair Education were written in 2010 as part of the School’s strategic planning process. The entire Blair community – faculty, students, trustees, parents and alumni –helped to inform and shape these principles.
Read more at Blair Academy Website >>Tagged: Boarding school
