Innovators v. incumbents in education

by rrusczyk, Dec 1, 2006, 2:19 PM

Here's an article I've been planning to write, but now that someone else has, I don't have to.

It's about the need for innovation in education, with a strong dose of 'lots of people need self-paced education' and a hint of 'especially the smart people.'

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I think educational entrepeneurship is absolutely critical in the US. Unfortunately, so much of it has become political. Politicians and educators expect to see short term results even though the process itself is an inherently long term one.

At the height of the .com era, the young self-made .com millionaires attempted to propagate just the kind of momvement that might have spurred educational entrepeneurship (now referred to in the VC community as Social Venture Capital or Venture Philanthropy)

http://www.nvca.org/philanthropy.html

Unfortunately, much of that ended with the .com implosion and VCs are now back to being their greedy old selves.

by JackPo, Dec 1, 2006, 8:50 PM

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Excellent article. In my opinion, the only sure fire way to get innovation in education is to get government out of education. The smart kids are generally being ignored in the current egalitarian atmosphere.

by Eric Ricketts, Dec 2, 2006, 6:23 PM

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Eric Ricketts wrote:

I don't know what we at AoPS can do about that first sentence, but we're working on the second.

Ideas are welcome regarding how to get the word out. Like most producers of programs for talented students, we're not so good at marketing...

by rrusczyk, Dec 3, 2006, 4:53 PM

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Richard,
Yes, I agree there is nothing you can do about the first sentence I wrote. Realistically, public education is so ingrained in the American mindset I am convinced it will never go away, no matter how bad it gets.
But onto a more practical topic. You mentioned wanting to get the word out. Like most states with a significant homeschool presence, we have a conference once a year. The North Carolina Homeschool Conference is held in Wintson Salem every May (Memorial Day weekend). If you are interested I could inquire about trying to speak at one of the main sessions or a vendor session. A vendor session attracts 20-40 parents while the main sessions are scheduled in rooms that can hold well over 100 parents. In the coference I can make it abundantly clear that your material is for smart kids and I will not offend anybody.
What should we do from here? If you think this is worth pursuing (I use your material so I can speak from experience) should we correspnd by e-mail? Just give me the word and I will start the process by contacting the North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE).

Eric

by Eric Ricketts, Dec 3, 2006, 8:52 PM