These posts are intended to expand discussion about education topics. Potential tactics may be included, but they are not central.
This 50 minute podcast is a conversation with one of those luminaries. It covers some of the terms that frame the way achievement is researched, some of the precursors of success that research has revealed, and other considerations that go beyond the typical advice offered to parents.
If you are so led, grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and join the virtual coffeehouse by listening to the conversation and then adding a comment to share your thoughts.
The solutions for many of our nation’s deepest problems will be solved by liberating a broader talent pool. Achievement Factors will use research, experience, and partnerships to achieve that objective by providing pathways to academic and developmental excellence.
01
Each child has potential. The eternal mission of education is to lead each child to that potential. By joining Achievement Factors, you will gain more of the kind of knowledge you can use to enhance your child’s education and help them identify viable paths to success.
02
The assessment and credential world is evolving to offer new ways for motivated students to communicate what they have achieved. Coming later this year, Achievement Factors will unveil a new way to take advantage of this evolution.
03
As your child/student accumulates achievement, their progress will begin to tell a story. That story may describe a specific academic interest, or remain general in nature. Regardless of how your child’s story begins to take shape, having the ability to zoom out and see connections among its components will provide insight into how best to support them.
04
The act of creating a story is not complete until you tell it to someone. Built into your account will be the ability to share your child’s story with gatekeepers–admissions officers who are looking for the best talent for their schools or colleges.
For most children, their potential and abilities are not predetermined at birth, but are shaped by the experiences they encounter throughout their development. I believe that our dedicated, informed, and consistent effort as parents can positively change the trajectory of children, especially if we start early. I started Achievement Factors to continue chasing this theory. The most influential scholar inspiring me on this journey is Dr. Ronald Ferguson, a lecturer at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and the originator of the Achievement Gap Initiative. I acknowledge him here for all the great work he’s done on this topic.
More context about the author: My wife and I are the parents of two successful African American boys who are still high achievers and who successfully navigated public, private, Christian, & Quaker schools. As of the launch of this blog, they are both in college. One chose a top school for computer science. The other chose a leading liberal arts school. Both chose schools that were the best for them.
Crossword Puzzle
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What Smart Students Know
$15.00