How Can We Restructure Schools?

Specific Changes to Schools

Of the specific changes below, the main principles that guide them are 1) shifting from a culture that values strictly numbers and grades to a culture that values growth and learning, 2) things are done more than once to emphasize repetition and learning while also reducing pressure, 3) effort is emphasized over performance, and 4) forms of labeling, both direct and indirect, are avoided as much as possible.

Effort > Performance

Reward kids for working hard rather than just getting things right or good grades
Make a point to actively point out kids who are really trying, regardless of their performance
Get rid of the standard number/letter grading system, and instead judge kids of off meeting content criterium
Point out failures regularly to children so they realize how common and necessary they are, and that they realize that strictly performing isn't always necessary/possible

Performance-Focused ----->
Growth -
Focused

Have a brain workshop with children so they can see how important their mindset really is, and also so they can see how they actually learn things and become more intelligent, this helps exterminate the fixed mindset and instill in the children an appreciation for learning
Teach kids to seperate self-worth from performance, intervene and remind them of this in critical moments
Use a "personal curve" to judge student progress, comparing them to their old selves rather than to others.
Teachers are supportive, but still push students. Their main message is to give their best effort

Repetition

Content is taught more than once and spaced out to reduce pressure on students
Both little assignments and big tests alike are allowed and encouraged to be retaken to foster better learning, memorization, and content attribution
Kids are encouraged to connect the things they learned in the class room to the real world around them, and are given adequate time to do so

Stopping
Labeling

Get rid of honors and gifted and talented programs entirely, or at least get rid of their titles or barrier to entry
Do not group kids together based off of IQ or intelligence
Spread and groups kids evenly so they are exposed to multiple different skillsets, can become as well-rounded in knowledge and skills as possible, and so they realize that intelligence and success take so many different forms