Students drink from two separate streams. When studying "diversity" in political science, sociology, and history, they learn about demographic trends, changing notions of identity, and attempts to overcome historical injustices. They learn to view human differences through historical, legal, moral, and ethical lenses. These teachings…

This article is an excerpt from "Raising Elijah: Protecting Our Children in an Age of Environmental Crisis" (2011), by Sandra Steingraber. As a scientist, mother, and concerned citizen, Steingraber explores herein the damaging effects of the myriad and ubiquitous environmental pollutants--in homes, schools, and communities--on the lives…

In this article, the author shares her experience teaching in international schools where she has worked in dynamic and collaborative cultures. The international school culture that she knew was one that valued collaboration, transparency, and equitability. The independent school culture is also one that values faculty's knowledge and passion in…

While recognizing the value of "vision," it could be argued that vision alone--at least in schools--is not enough to rally the financial and emotional support required to translate an idea into reality. A compelling vision needs to reflect substantive, research-based knowledge if it is to spark the kind of strategic thinking and insight capable of…

Jim Collins's "Good to Great" has attained near-scriptural status in organizations, including nonprofits, which Collins says constitute a third of his readers. The pivot point in "Good to Great" is the Hedgehog Concept. The "Hedgehog Concept" (HC), this author claims, is dangerous for schools because it distorts the nature of education. As Collins…

Most nations now administer standardized tests--for adult job seekers and young students alike--but the Chinese remain the world's preeminent practitioners. The nation's national college entrance exam, known as the "Gaokao", lasts for nine hours across two days. The author has seen the intensity of China's work ethic firsthand as part-time…

An important topic of current brain research is "cognitive overload." It is about the capacity of a person's working memory and the strategies employed when that capacity is taxed. The most common strategy for coping with cognitive overload is shutting down, like that point in a conversation with a non-English speaker when everything one says is…

This article shares reflections in the rearview mirror of a departing board chair. The author has served seven years as board chair of Redwood Day School (California). As he departs, he figures out a few things that might be worth sharing. The author shares his responses to some Frequently Unasked Questions.

For a long time, independent schools have relied primarily upon peer-review accreditation for the purpose of accountability. Akin to the process used by colleges and universities, libraries and hospitals, school accreditation via a reputable accrediting organization is thorough, rigorous, and professional. It is rooted in two underlying…

An international educator believes that the commonly shared, fundamental source of tension and negative social interaction is ignorance and the consequent lack of appreciation of cultural diversity. Educators' moral duty is to instill knowledge of cultural diversity and model tolerance of all religious and ethnic backgrounds. (MLH)

America's era of expansion is over. The limitless frontier which served as a safety valve for our social tensions is gone and we now must find new national goals. To do this we need a new kind of thinking, not abstract intellectualization but commitment to human service. (SJL)

This article is adapted from a memorandum prepared by the head of an independent school for the education and compensation committees of the school's board of trustees. Presented in question-and-answer format, it reflects primarily a faculty point of view. (Author/SJL)

This article, based on the keynote speech for a career day at Concord Academy, defines the concepts of a career and the career planning process, with emphasis on the personal aspects of work and the need for self-analysis in the selection of a career. (SJL)

Presents a rationale, based on Judeo-Christian principles, for involving boarding school students in social service work. (SJL)

Drawing on his own experiences as a student and as an English teacher, the author considers the learning value of the marks and comments teachers make on students' compositions. (SJL)