A Whole Child Approach to Education and the Common Core State Standards Initiative
A whole child approach to education is defined by policies, practices, and relationships that ensure each child, in each school, in each community, is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. It engages all stakeholders—educators, families, policymakers, and community members—in defying the “percentage proficient” culture of too many school reform efforts, to focus on each child. And it further raises the bar of accountability beyond narrow, single-issue “improvement” strategies to efforts that reflect the broad array of factors influencing long-term success rather than short-term achievement.
Within a whole child approach, questions must be raised about school culture and curriculum; instructional strategies and family engagement; critical thinking and social-emotional wellness. We have an inherent
