NAEP Results

The recent NAEP report card provides us further proof that there is room for improvement in our current education system. In a PBS article, Thomas Kane, professor of education at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, was not surprised by the results. He offers three hypotheses to explain the trends we are observing:

• a decline in focus on test-based accountability since the No Child Left Behind act expired in 2015
  
• the rise in social media use which is concentrated among lower-achieving students
  
• the rise in student absenteeism, which spiked during the pandemic, but remains high
  

Regarding test accountability, Athena aims to use the MAP Growth assessments to help us understand where the student is at the beginning of their Athena journey and to observe growth throughout each year. Schools and educators use computer-adaptive MAP Growth assessments to inform their most impactful decisions about student learning.

The increase in social media use is a concern for many families and many schools across the country have banned cell phones this year. I am not certain this will solve the issue, but I understand the widespread concern and I appreciate that something is being tried. In a microschool environment, it is much easier to set cell phone expectations and parameters that are reasonable and respect the dignity of each student. Instead of removing this tool from students, it’s invaluable to teach them about modern issues and concerns, such as the pros and cons of social media and A.I. use and academic integrity so that they are able to make informed decisions.

On the topic of school absenteeism, I argue that a micro-sized learning environment that is welcoming, warm, and where students are able to exercise a sense of independence and flexibility, increases the desire to want to be at school. Because microschools are small by design, every student experiences high engagement each day, further inspiring their attendance. Small class or pod sizes allow students to feel they are a part of something unique, where their peers rely on their attendance and contributions.


Families are hungry for something different. They seek a high-quality, personalized program that emphasizes individuality over efficiency, high engagement versus getting lost in the crowds, flexible curriculum options versus a common state-wide curriculum that may not meet the needs of each learner. 

KaiPod Learning shares that microschools offer a powerful alternative because they meet students where they are, not where the system expects them to be, and I agree.