EduCon 2.4

We believe that those attempting to transform their schools into 21st century learning environments should not focus on a set model, combination of best practices, or infusion of technology, but rather should focus on making a radical change in our approach to school transformation. We must think about the key levers that affect the effectiveness of our schools and adopt a habit of constantly rethinking them. We propose that the 21st century schools movement abandon the idea that a single model, tool, or instructional approach will fix our schools and transform them into 21st century learning environments; instead, schools must adopt a habit of constantly learning, adapting, and reinventing ourselves. Despite constraints of size, accountability, human capacity, and diminishing budgets, we believe that school leaders have influence over four key areas of how schools function and how they meet the needs of their students: time, culture, curriculum, and human capital. It is time that we as educators admit that there is no magical combination of these factors that will fix every school and enable each school to remain high-functioning forever. However, if school leaders begin to use these areas as levers, and it becomes part of the leadership and teaching culture at each school to experiment and think outside the box to constantly shift and rethink practices in these four areas, we can truly transform our schools into 21st century learning environments that remain relevant and effective for the long-term.