Education in the U.S. historically has focused on teaching core academic skills that prepare students for future jobs. Now, focus is shifting beyond academics to include other life skills. With depression increasing among teens, the value of fostering empathy, compassion, confidence, happiness and relationship skills is more important than ever.
Many independent schools in Hawai‘i and across the nation are rejecting traditional teaching styles to focus on new skills and project-based learning. Some parents worry this shift away from standard methods and tests puts students’ chances of getting into good colleges at risk. But educators say today’s constantly changing, technology-driven society requires different skills to survive college and beyond. Here’s how.
Education reform. To some, this is an ambitious moon shot intended to transform Hawai‘i’s school system. To others, it resembles lofty projects that never amounted to much. Meanwhile, Island teachers are fleeing the profession. So what’s in store for our 180,000 students this fall?
