Programmatic Sustainability

In order for independent schools to thrive in the 21st century, NAIS believes that they must be sustainable along five dimensions: financial, demographic, programmatic, environmental, and global.

Schools can work toward programmatic sustainability by being receptive to new models of educating children, continuing to incorporate research about learning styles, and designing educational opportunities reflective of the global environment in which we live.

Below, you will find:

1. Trends that back up the importance of this work.
2. Action steps schools should take.
3. Resources NAIS offers to help in this work.

Why is it important for schools to become programmatically sustainable? Consider these trends:

• SKILLS NEEDED FOR 21st CENTURY ARE DIFFERENT THAN IN THE PAST. In recent years, educators have focused on improving student achievement. However, there remains a profound gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skills they need in typical 21st century communities and workplaces.
  (Partnership for 21st Skills, "Learning for the 21st Century," www.21stcenturyskills.org/downloads/P21_Report.pdf)
• AVERAGE LEVEL OF EDUCATION IN WORKFORCE IS DROPPING.
  If current trends continue, the proportion of workers with high school diplomas and college degrees will decrease at a time when baby boomers are retiring, leading to a drop in the average level of education of the U.S. workforce over the next two decades, unless states do a better job of raising the educational level of all racial/ethnic groups. (National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, "Income Of U.S. Workforce Projected To Decline If Education Doesn't Improve," Policy Alert, November 2005, www.highereducation.org/reports/pa_decline/pa_decline.pdf)
• THE U.S. DOES NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH SCIENTISTS TO SUPPORT INDUSTRY.
  The U.S. has a science pipeline problem that begins as early as kindergarten. That is also the time when students, if taught science in a hands-on, inquiry-based manner, begin to develop important lifelong science literacy skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and working in teams.
  (John Payne, "Precollege Science Teachers Need Better Training," Issues in Science and Technology, Fall 2004.)
• THE U.S. IS FALLING BEHIND IN COLLEGE COMPLETION.
  For the first time in decades, the U.S. no longer leads the developed world in the rate of college completion. Four out of 10 students in colleges/universities fail to graduate within six years. One-fourth of the low-income students in the top quartile of academic ability and preparation fail to enroll in college within two years of high school graduation. While more minorities and low-income students are enrolling, most minority students do not graduate. (State Higher Education Executive Officers, Accountability for Better Results: A National Imperative for Higher Education, www.sheeo.org/account/accountability.pdf)
• PARENTS' EXPECTATIONS FOR TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO GROW.
  Technology continues to transform the way people live and work in the world. It will continue to transform education, redefining the educational process and curricula. Parents will expect school personnel to display technical acumen and to teach students about new technology and media literacy. (National Association of Independent Schools, NAIS Opinion Leaders Survey:  Forecasting Independent Education to 2025, 2005)

What action steps can schools take now?

• Work with school leadership to discuss long-term curriculum goals for your school.
• Read about what skills the 21st century marketplace will require.
• Evaluate your current curriculum. Does it help students develop those skills?
• Consult a website like OER Commons (Open Educational Resources), which is an open-source site filled with subject-area ideas.

What resources does NAIS offer to help?

Research, Presentations, and Articles  

• NAIS Opinion Leaders' Survey: Forecasting Independent Education to 2025 (Members can view a pdf for free, and all can purchase copies.)
• The Right-Brained Future (PPT)
  This PowerPoint presentation by Pat Bassett presents the theme of "right-brained" creativity, rooted in Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind, exploring the implications for teaching and learning in 21st century schools. It examines the six core competencies of our right-brained future and illustrates exercises related to each: design; story; symphony; empathy; play; meaning.
• Effecting Change: Creating 21st Century Schools (PPT)
  This PowerPoint presentation by Pat Bassett examines the change-resistant culture of schools, recommends strategies for effecting change, and presents examples of design issues in curriculum, program, schedule, and governance for creating 21st century schools.
• Schools of Integrity Report and Website
  This research, conducted by the Institute for Global Ethics, delineates school practices that balance academic rigor with attention to ethical development. The report (2006) highlights 10 key findings, with an emphasis on the way that other schools may replicate these schools' programs and practices. 
• What We Teach (Winter 2007 Independent School magazine)
  This issue explores the complexity of teaching. Articles cover leadership development, moral development, the teaching of science, the education of boys and girls, and more.

Exchange of Ideas 

• Teachers of the Future 
  This online community for independent school teachers includes discussion forums that cover everything from best practices for enhancing science lessons with technology, to a Tuareg Tea Ceremony that introduces students to a Craftmanship course. Math, science, globalism, Web 2.0, journalism, art, and music are among the many topics of discussion.
• Ideas@Work 
  This database of programs allows you to see what programs your colleagues around the country are employing successfully in their schools.
• Listserves
  Listserves allow you to share ideas about curriculum with your colleagues. There are several NAIS listserves, some by role (such as division head) and some by topic area (such as environmental sustainability).
• Schools of the Future
  In 2007, NAIS launched the Schools of the Future initiative to establish NAIS as the forum for conversations about schools of the future.
• NAIS Annual Conference
  Each conference includes a day devoted to the art and science of teaching and curriculum development.

Communication Vehicles

A strong and unique curriculum is a selling point to prospective families and helps demonstrate the "value added" of an independent school education. Communicate with families about your innovative curriculum using ads and brochures from NAIS. Many of these resources are free or low cost.

Return to the main Sustainable Schools section.