A teacher assesses the past decade in K-12 education — and makes 9 predictions for the 2020s - The Washington Post

A teacher assesses the past decade in K-12 education — and makes 9 predictions for the 2020s - The Washington Post

A teacher assesses the past decade in K-12 education — and makes 9 predictions for the 2020s

Veteran educator Larry Ferlazzo writes annual lists of what he considers the best and worst education news — for which you can find links below — as well as predictions for the year ahead. This piece is something new.

Here, Ferlazzo, who teaches English and social studies at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, looks back on the past 10 years in the world of education and evaluates what happened, for, in his view, good or ill — plus one event he can’t yet categorize. Following this assessment are predictions he is making for the 2020s.

His lists are not in any order of priority.

Ferlazzo is well-known in the education world, having written or edited 12 books on education, and authoring a teacher advice blog for Education Week Teacher and his popular resource-sharing blog.

He encourages readers to leave their own reactions and thoughts in the comments. Ferlazzo is sure he has missed a lot!

BEST EDUCATION NEWS OF THE DECADE

Grass-roots teacher organizing became energized

Beginning with the Chicago Teachers Union strike, led by then-union leader Karen Lewis in 2012, to the 2018 West Virginia teacher strike which, in turn, led to strikes across the country, teachers and their unions successfully fought for fair compensation and increased resources for students and their families.

Effective Social Emotional Learning took hold in many of the nation’s schools

Through research and practice, educators have recognized the importance of supporting the social and emotional growth of students, and acknowledging that they are intertwined with academic growth. Concepts and strategies such as a growth mind-set, goal-setting and encouraging intrinsic motivation are being integrated in curriculums throughout the country. Importantly, some unhelpful efforts seem CONTINUE READING: A teacher assesses the past decade in K-12 education — and makes 9 predictions for the 2020s - The Washington Post