In our extraordinary efforts to educate a hugely diverse student population for what is the greatest era of innovation, particularly around technology, we have forgotten what made this country so extraordinary.  Think about it.  The American education system didn’t really become what it is, mass education, until the industrial revolution.  Therefore, those who drove the industrial revolution did not participate in mass education nor were they required to memorize, store and repeat enormous amounts of information, data and facts.  The American education system, which by the way looks largely the same as it did when it began with the addition of a few more bells and whistles, was only designed to “produce” individuals to work for the industrious few who drove innovation like Rochefeller, Vanderbelt, and Ford.  So what did they have that our students do not and why is there so much resistance to providing our students the “opportunities” to become great like those who drove America to become the greatest economy in the history of the world.  Well the answer is simple, “passion.”  But the answer is a little more complicated than simply saying, “Kids these days need passion!”  The following will very briefly provide an overview of the current situation and how we got here.

First, the American education system was designed to fill factories with competent factory workers.  Desks were in rows, teachers taught in the front of the classroom, and students’ success was measured by tests.

Second, most jobs were predictable or they had tasks that once you learned the pattern or path to completing the task, you could do the job.  Today’s economy no longer has those types of jobs.  In fact, most jobs, whether they require a certification, 2-year degree, 4-year degree, or graduate work are “organic” with no clear path to completion and not clear final outcome.

Third, while the economy drove innovation at an incredible velocity, K-12 education and higher education were limited in their ability to keep up because of cultural norms against change, rigid and inflexible infrastructure (lots of buildings and classrooms), and little pressure to keep up with the change.  This meant that even though educators recognized the changing world around them, they clung to their old ways of thinking and teacher: desks were in rows, teachers taught in the front of the classroom, and students’ success was measured by tests.

Finally, in a last ditch effort to elevate the United States to the less than impressive middle-of-the-road academic position among post-industrial societies, our political government has focused to the detriment of the very people they are trying to help (i.e. students), on how well our kids can test.  The government’s resistance to and lack of acknowledgement of what is happening right in front of their eyes is exactly what got us into this situation when educators failed to keep up with what drove change in what is now our knowledge economy.

The Missing Link

The missing link then is the one thing that cuts across all of the previously stated conditions.  The missing link is the student!  When did anyone who has accomplished greatest done so by doing exactly what they are told, learning only what they are taught, and resisting any call to take control of their own future.  NEVER!

So here we are, understanding why we are where we are, what the problem is (in very simple terms), and what the missing link is.  Now what?  Here are 5 simple steps to begin to turn things around starting with the most important piece, the student.

1. Students WILL NOT recognize that they need to change.  That means the adults in their lives have to take it upon themselves to create “opportunities” for them to come to that conclusion themselves.  You CANNOT teach them.  That will not work.  You have to expose them to various activities that spark interest which is the precursor to curiosity and then passion.  This will only happen if they have autonomy to work independently and determine what their final product is without interference or judgment (i.e. grading).
2. Students need the time to experience life.  This means that somewhere in the chaotic world of the American teenager you have to find time.  Cut back on scheduled obligations and allow for “technology- free” opportunities for students to explore, be curious, and become motivated.
3. Coach your teenager; do not teach them.  Think of it this way.  Every time you teach your child, you take one step forward while she takes two steps back.  Remember the proverb: “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach him how to catch fish, and he eats for a lifetime.”  The proverb becomes more important when you envision “teaching” a child to fish.  My guess is that when you read it, you didn’t think teaching was in a classroom with you up front and your child or student taking notes and eventually passing a test on fishing.  You likely envisioned fishing and handing the pole to the child.  That’s the difference between teaching and coaching.  A coach allows a child to learn by doing.
4. Talk to your child about their future!  It’s very hard for teenagers to envision the future because of the way the brain is developing in an adolescent.  So you need to help them to think about the future and yes even plan for the future.  High school students ARE NOT too young to think about a career path.  They may not pick a specific job but may choose a career path that may lead to thousands of jobs.  The reason why a high school student should have a career path is because when they go on to earn a certification or a bachelor’s, master’s, or associate’s degree, they are more likely to graduate and find a job!  I know what you are thinking, “Most kids eventually graduate.  College is a time for exploration.”  If you thought that, you would be mistakenly right.  Why “mistakenly right?”  Because only 41% of the colleges in the botton two thirds of selective colleges (where most students go to college), graduate in 6 years for a 4-year degree.  These 2 extra years cost students between $110,000 and $180,000 in real and opportunity costs!  PLUS, most students, according to employers, lack even the most basic skills to enter the workforce.  By thinking about and planning for their future, students are in a much better position to succeed after high school regardless of what post-secondary education they choose.
5. Stop stressing!  The believe that “my kid will be the best” is a fact that most people know isn’t true but still fall into the pressures of society to push our kids to be the best.  Actually most kids, mine included, will be normal and not the best.  That’s just the law of averages.  So instead of aiming for success, aim instead for happiness.  What’s the difference?  Happiness is based on being able to prioritize what you value in life.  If you are able to prioritize what you value, you will consider yourself a success.  If, on the other hand, you cannot meet your values, no matter how successful you appear to others, you will not be happy.  So aim for “happy” and you’ll get whatever you value, whether that’s family time, financial security, wealth, service to others, etcetera, is up to you.

While there are plenty of things students can do to prepare for college, the previous five recommendations are a great start.

Most likely it is not surprising that the missing link to student success is the student.  Yet, we still fall short of positioning students as the center of their own success.  Why?  Because it’s easier not to.  Try this by reading #1, doing what it says; then reading #2, doing what it says; and then reading #3, and doing what it says.  No looking ahead!!!

1. Write your name on a sheet of paper.
2. Put your pen in your weak hand and now write a goal for yourself.
3. Now, keeping your pen in your weak hand, put the pen on the paper, close your eyes, and write down top goal of a the last cashier you purchased something from.

What does this tell us?  First, it’s easy doing what we always do.  Second, change is uncomfortable.  Third, change without understanding is nearly impossible.  So, as hard as it is for your teenager to change and evolve, it will also be challenging for you to change and evolve.  You will need to be very conscientious of your actions and the way you “coach” your child.

To learn more about what was in this post, follow up with a couple great resources!

• www.MyCollegeMax.com is a great resource for students, parents and high school counselors that facilitates “coaching” a student to success.**
• Daniel Pink’s book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us will help you as a parent and counselor as well as someone who seeks to improve their own life.
• Frances Jensen’s book The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults is an extraordinary look into what makes your adolescent and young adult tick.

**In the interest of pure transparency, I am the founder and CEO of MyCampusMax, LLC, owner of MyCollegeMax.com.  But don’t let that stop you!  ;o)

Good luck and come back for more blogs on Maximizing College Success!

Steve