I have been someone who has railed against standardized schooling, standardized testing, and standardized grading for almost three decades

Heck, I even started a school that is anything but standard!!!

At that school—Odyssey Leadership Academy—we don’t do worksheets, quizzes, desks, rows, tests, grades or GPA (you can learn more about OLA HERE)

So…as someone who has preached the gospel of non-standardized education, why in the world would I write that I am all for standardized schooling???

Well, I am glad you asked, because this is what I really mean

WHY I AM FOR STANDARDIZED EDUCATION IN SCHOOLING

Yes, I am absolutely for standardized education in every single school in America if what we mean by standardized is a level of care, belonging, hope inspiration, innovation, creativity, meaning, purpose, and belief we instill and inspire in every student, teacher, administrator, family, and community member in our country

I believe it should be standard that every STUDENT in every school knows they are cared for

I believe it should be standard that every student in every school has a group of people they know believe in them

I believe it should be standard that every student in every school has caring adults who are educators first and teachers second

I believe it should be standard that every student in every school is given a voice in their learning

I believe it should be standard that every student in every school feels psychologically safe

I believe it should be standard that every student in every school has the chance to follow their passions, their curiosities, their interests, their sense of wonder, their imagination

I believe it should be standard that every student in every school is welcomed by caring staff and administration who knows them by name, knows their hobbies and talents, and celebrates the Good in them

I believe it should be standard that every student in every school feels enlightened, energized, and enthusiastic about the work being asked of them and that they know the work matters more than “for the grade”

I believe it should be standard that every student in every school has a safe place to go when they feel overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious by the turbulence of life

I believe it should be standard that every TEACHER in every school feels supported, uplifted, and cared for by their administration

I believe it should be standard that every teacher in every school has the resources to create meaningful learning that opens students’ minds to big ideas and real-world applications

I believe it should be standard that every teacher in every school gets recompensed in salary and respect

I believe it should be standard that every teacher in every school knows their administrator has their back in tough times

I believe it should be standard that every SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER—from the janitor to the cafeteria workers, JV tennis coaches to IT support, front office secretaries to guidance counselors, bus drivers to school resource officers—knows their work is every bit as educational and every bit as valuable as anyone else’s within the learning ecosystem

I believe it should be standard that every ADMINISTRATOR AND SCHOOL LEADER has the backing and support of their learning community

I believe it should be standard that every administrator and school leader has the mental and emotional resources to face the challenges and demands of school leadership with equanimity and wisdom

I believe it should be standard that every administrator and school leader leads with care, empowering those in their care to be their most robust, flourishing selves

I believe it should be standard that every SCHOOL is a place of creativity and imagination, wonder and discovery, innovation and design

I believe it should be standard that every school is a place of care and community, belonging and mattering, hope and opportunity

I believe it should be standard that every school is a place of thoughtfulness and patience, generosity and thankfulness, celebration and hospitality, welcome and inclusion

I believe it should be standard that every school is a rich ecosystem wherein everyone flourishes and thrives

I believe it should be standard that every PARENT knows their child belongs, matters, is safe and cared for when they drop them off at the front door

I believe it should be standard that every parent feels their voice matters and is heard by the learning community

I believe it should be standard that every parent is valued as a partner in the rearing of their child by the school system

I believe it should be standard that every parent is welcomed into the work being done by the learning community

I believe it should be standard that every COMMUNITY has a school that reflects the rich diversity of its neighbors and neighborhoods

I believe it should be standard that every community has a school that serves its unique stakeholders well

I believe it should be standard that every community has a school where families feel a sense of pride and gratitude for the school’s presence in their lives

I believe it should be standard that every community sees the value, dignity and worth of the educators educating their young

THIS is what I mean when I say I am all for standardized education.

Yes, a baseline standard of reading skills and math computation, of science and Shakespeare, is certainly good to pursue

But until we fight for the standards of flourishing, creativity, enthusiasm, wonder, imagination, support, value, care, hope, purpose, meaning, and belonging

Those baseline standards may not mean as much as we think they do

You can complement this edition of The Insightful Educator with this previous article on EDUCATORS FIRST...TEACHERS SECOND: Reclaiming the role of Educator

In this article, I unpack why I believe it is invaluable to think of “teachers” as educators first and foremost…that is, as those who do the work of human formation by “bringing forth” and “calling out” (what “education” means etymologically) in students

Read it for yourself here:

For a great read on the power and impact of care in schools, I highly recommend Nel Noddings’ The Challenge to Care in Schools. This book is in the top five most impactful books I’ve ever read as an educator. Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/4403c4Q

A Few Things Worth Sharing

If you enjoy these articles, feel free to SUBSCRIBE and join the conversation! It never costs you anything and you can add your voice to the movement.

If are looking to pursue the standards I listed above, I work with schools and school leaders through keynotes, workshops, retreats, and 1-1 coaching

If you would like more information on how I can help you and your learning community, visit https://www.drscottamartin.com/ to learn more or reach out directly to schedule a free call to chat

TESTIMONIAL: “You are a real force, Scott. All of us are grateful and benefit from your vision and what you are able to continue to create for children middle school through high school! And really beyond!” Jenny Dunning, Head of School Keystone Adventure School