Schools for Wisdom

The only thing I would add to David Brooks’ insightful column is that relationships are not the end-game, they are the foundation. To paraphrase Bill Daggett, who started talking about the ‘3 Rs’ (rigor, relevance and relationships) over a decade ago: relationships form the basis for relevance. (You cannot know what is relevant to a student, without first knowing him or her as a person.) In turn, ‘relevance’ leads to rigor, by providing the intrinsic motivation to do the hard work needed to become competent.

The other point to be made is that while ‘knowing stuff’ will continue to be important, typically that’s not what’s lacking in those just entering their professions. According to a wide spectrum of business executives (university folks, too) what’s largely missing in new hires is the ability to collaborate with others, to think critically and creatively, and to communicate clearly.  That’s why education needs to intentionally work on developing those skills in students - and that can only happen in an educational environment that is emotionally supportive and encourages risk-taking.