For anyone looking for signs of optimism in education, look no further than to recent events in the state of Arkansas.  A truly amazing collaboration of individuals, schools, government agencies and private business have come together in a unique way to take action to prepare today’s students for the future…not just their future, but the future of the state, nation and the world.

“This will provide true student centered learning that provides educational opportunities relevant to their world and lives,” Howard Morris, Superintendent Riverview School District

I was lucky to be able to host multiple Arkansas school districts to New Tech high schools located in Austin (Manor New Tech HS) and Dallas (Math Engineering Technology Science Academy-METSA).  These visiting school districts sensed that this new state wide collaboration of groups might be able to support their efforts to not only explore new school designs, but also to partially fund innovation focused on Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM).   KnowledgeWorks provided some funding to offset travel to see New Tech schools in action.  Visitors were surprised at the level of student excitement and engagement in their learning as they delved into projects.  They exclaimed about students working effectively in groups and their amazing capacity to communicate with each other and adults. 

Arkansas districts were also provided an opportunity to visit 2 newly starting New Tech schools in Lincoln and Cross County Arkansas in a Showcase format.  The message of these new New Tech schools was especially compelling! Lincoln and Cross County recounted the story about the training they received from New Tech Network in planning and the coaching they were receiving as they started. Students from these two novice New Techs sat on panels and could hardly contain their enthusiasm for the change as they answered questions from the visitors.  It was incredible to watch as the veteran Texas New Tech schools and the newly starting Arkansas New Tech sites generated a growing excitement to embark on a journey of redesigning teaching and learning. In reference to beginning this journey, Kenneth Muldrew, Superintendent Hope Public Schools said  “Our partnership with the New Tech Network is an exciting chance to provide our community and students with even greater innovation in education”.

I’m looking forward to watching the Arkansas schools plan and grow in this new climate of statewide collaboration with New Tech Network!