Ken_McLaughlin's Comments to Sharon Jones blog

http://blossjones.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-1-readings-mac.html

"In The Art of Possibility, the authors allow a more individualized approach to the education of your students. It is not a matter of relaxing, or indeed removing, standards, but of taking each student and enabling them to reach their maximum potential. I was particularly moved by the concept of "giving the A" to students by having them basically determine their goals. The likelihood of a student reaching a goal he has set for himself is much higher than the likelihood of meeting a predetermined standard imposed upon him.
Since our goal as educators is to foster the desire to develop and succeed in our students, this philosophy seems tailor made. One of the biggest complaints I hear from fellow teachers is that no matter how "hard" they teach, their students are just not coming up to the mark. Perhaps the "mark" is one that the students have not yet had the experience in life to recognize."

First off Sharon, I love the photo of you as it truly adds to your history and love for music as it comes through your amazing smile while at the piano! I agree with your assessment of this week's reading and how it allows educators to accept and guide learners toward their maximum potential. In addition, you comments on teachers teaching and expecting their students to reach a mark that is not yet recognized from the point of view of the learner is something that needs more attention. As graduation rates and unprepared students move on in life to college or employment. I see that most of our classmates have had the opportunity to rethink what and how content is taught in the classroom compared to the necessary skills needed for all learners to master and to succeed... as the art of Possibilities is an extension to the art of learning how to learn.