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May 8, 2007

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ASCD SmartBrief Special Report: The Whole Child

The intense focus on annual testing in selected subject areas has put a huge amount of pressure on schools to focus on these academic subjects, often eliminating other areas of instruction. While a rigorous academic curriculum is certainly important, we must not forget the curriculum must be a well-rounded curriculum and that schools also have an obligation to help children develop skills to lead engaged and productive lives as adults. This requires adopting comprehensive programs that support all of students' core needs, from physical health to safety to intellectual development. In other words, we must put our focus on educating the Whole Child.

This two-part ASCD SmartBrief Special Report on The Whole Child examines how schools and policymakers can expand the focus of schooling to encompass a broader definition of education. Part I focuses on aspects of the curriculum that may help to provide a more enriching school experience for youngsters. It also looks at the role of leadership and visionary policymaking in promoting a Whole Child approach. Part II, which will be published Thursday, May 10, delves into issues related to teacher training and professional development.

At a Glance

ASCD report: Focus on children, not testing
Academic achievement requires student engagement, personalized learning and skilled and caring teachers, not just testing gains, said a recent report from ASCD's Commission on the Whole Child. "We need to rethink what education of the whole child means and make sure every student has access to a rich and challenging curriculum that pays attention to other aspects," ASCD deputy executive director Judy Seltz says. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (3/26)

The Whole Child: Healthy, Safe, Engaged, Supported, Challenged
The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) calls on parents, educators, policymakers and communities to join forces to ensure our children become productive and engaged citizens. Our children deserve an education that emphasizes academic rigor as well as the essential 21st-century skills of critical thinking and creativity.
ASCD proposes a broader definition of achievement and accountability that promotes the development of children who are healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged. The Learning Compact Redefined: A Call to Action, recommends a new compact with our young people. The Compact asks local, state and national policymakers to ensure conditions that support comprehensive approaches to learning -- for engaging the whole child. It asks that communities look at the whole picture and make sure that:
- Each student enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle.
- Each student learns in an intellectually challenging environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and adults.
- Each student is actively engaged in learning and is connected to the school and broader community.
- Each student has access to personalized learning and is supported by qualified, caring adults.
- Each graduate is challenged by a well-balanced curriculum and is prepared for success in college or further study and for employment in a global environment.

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Instruction and Assessment

Study: Early music lessons improve language sensitivity
Playing a musical instrument significantly enhances the brain's sensitivity to speech sounds, Northwestern University researchers found in a study printed in the April issue of Nature Neuroscience. Experience with music at a young age can fine-tune the brain's auditory system, making music elementary classes vital, says Nina Kraus, the study's senior author. Science Daily Magazine (3/13)

Every schoolchild in England to get free symphony ticket: England's eight top symphony orchestras will offer every schoolchild free entry to one classical music concert. Conductors hope the plan will inspire future musicians and music-lovers who might not otherwise be exposed to classical music during crowded school days. BBC (4/26)

The Essential Cognitive Backpack
In a recent poll and study, approximately 40% of recent high school graduates reported key gaps in their preparation for college. An overwhelming majority noted that if they could do high school over again, they would work harder and take more challenging courses. This Educational Leadership article highlights some of the most indispensable gear that ought to find its way into every graduate's cognitive backpack. Read more.

Physical education seeks to revolutionize curriculum
The blood-pumping video game Dance Dance Revolution is expected to become part of the physical-education curriculum in more than 1,500 schools by the end of the decade, as P.E. instructors work to revitalize a dying curriculum. The New York Times (4/30)

Opinion: Lifelong fitness key to physical education: Physical education classes are becoming more than just fun and games. Nutrition and lifelong fitness are taking center stage in some Arizona P.E. classes. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (4/22)

Opinion: Intense focus on test scores gives rise to anti-intellectualism
The relentless push to implement curricula focused on core academic skills has given rise to an "anti-intellectualism" that hinders students' cognitive development, says Stanford University professor Nel Noddings. Rather than narrowing curricula to focus on a select few academic disciplines, we should strive to support "intellectual life and the joy of learning" through a broad array of strategies that encourage intellectual awareness, Noddings says. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (3/20)

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Policy and Leadership

Geography left behind
As teachers try to help students meet NCLB requirements, geography often gets lost amid shrinking social studies curriculum. A new bill introduced in Congress aims to combat that by offering competitive U.S. Department of Education grants to improve K-12 geography curriculum, teacher training and instructional materials. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.)/Columbia News Service (4/26)

Why school leaders should promote the arts
Douglas Reeves, founder of the Center for Performance Assessment, urges public school leaders to push for the integration of the arts into core academic courses. Although Reeves acknowledges there is pressure to pare down the curriculum, he points out that arts education may have benefits for students who might otherwise be struggling academically. Educational Leadership (February 2007)

California announces $500M arts and physical-ed plan: California state schools chief Jack O'Connell said the state plans to allocate $500 million to improve physical educations and arts programs at public schools. San Diego Union-Tribune/Associated Press (4/24)

California arts group publishes guide for schools and communities: The California Alliance for Arts Education has published "The Insider's Guide to Arts Education Planning," a guide designed to help districts and communities plan arts programs. Read more.

New Hampshire, Rhode Island implement accountability reforms
New Hampshire and Rhode Island are leading the charge toward more sophisticated student assessment systems that measure student achievement based on multiple criteria including, tests, problem-solving skills and hands-on activities. The idea behind the approach is that students should be able to show competency in a variety of ways, not just on standardized exams. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (4/23)

Becoming citizens of the world
"The future is here. It's multiethnic, multicultural and multilingual. But are students ready for it?" This article in Educational Leadership explores ideas on what schools, policymakers and individuals can do to prepare the next generation for success in the global economy. Some of the core concepts include promoting foreign language skills and strong civic values. Read more.

ASCD Resources

ASCD's Whole Child Web site
Visit ASCD's Whole Child Web site to see a host of articles, books and other resources in the following areas:

Books, articles, videos and more from ASCD
- Audio: Educating the Whole Child
- Book: Student Achievement Through Staff Development
- Article: A Healthy Child Mind-Set
- Article: LEAP 2006: Effecting Policy, Affecting the Whole Child
- Audio: Shaping Powerful Learning by Promoting Mental and Emotional Health

Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not reflect actual ASCD endorsements. The news reported in SmartBrief does not necessarily reflect the official position of ASCD.

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