Embracing technology and launching new schools  haven't fueled the kind of innovation that will actually lead to meaningful improvements in the education system as a whole — at least not on their own, a new article published this week by the World Economic Forum argues.

Michael Barber,  the chief education adviser at Pearson UK, and Joel Klein, the former chief of New York City public schools,  outline a "playbook" for transforming school systems. The two authors, the chair and vice-chair of the forum's Global Agenda Council on Education, look at systemic education reform from a global perspective, drawing on case studies from around the world.

They write:

[G]ood ideas are not enough. ... So the central question is perhaps not the extent of innovation, but its quality and speed from idea to impact. Innovation is happening, but too little of it is focused at the heart of learning and when it does it spreads too slowly.

Investments in technology have largely automated existing pedagogies or delivered school efficiency savings outside of the core of learning and teaching. Where new school providers have entered systems, the innovation is often more about school marketing than reimaging the learning model. This prompts the question of how to spark the right type of innovation in education.

The authors suggest education leaders and policymakers should think about the whole system, and set clear goals — like achieving 85 percent literacy, or increasing the amount of time schools devote to instruction (as Chile did during a wave of reforms that began in the '90s). Then, they should give educators the means, and the freedom, to meet them.  (more…)

Board member arrested: Palm Beach School Board member Mike Murgio is arrested by the FBI. Federal court records allege Murgio is connected to a bribery scheme to gain control of a credit union in New Jersey, and that the credit union then laundered money for online criminals. His arraignment is next week in New York. Murgio’s arrest could lead to his suspension from office by Gov. Rick Scott. Palm Beach Post. Sun-Sentinel.

Bathroom access: Marion County School Board members agree to consider a resolution that would restrict school bathrooms to students based on birth sex, not gender identity. If passed at Tuesday's meeting, the ban would take effect Wednesday morning. Ocala Star Banner.

FCA rep banned: A Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative has been banned from all Hillsborough County school campuses because he has a criminal record and did not undergo the district’s background check procedures. The atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation filed the complaint that led to David Gaskill being banned. The district is also requiring special training next week for all public high school sports coaches. Tampa Tribune. Tampa Bay Times.

School impact fees: The Orange County School Board votes to increase school impact fees by almost 35 percent for single-family homes. County commissioners must approve the hike, which would take effect in August. Orlando Sentinel.

STEM push: The White House and a group of public and private leaders are calling for a national initiative to teach science, technology, engineering and math to students as young as 3 or 4 years old. USA Today.

Pearson's problems: Pearson Education, the largest education company in the world, is again a subject of criticism when its computerized Common Core testing in New Jersey malfunctions and has to be postponed. It's the latest in a long list of problems Pearson has had over the years - many of them in Florida. Washington Post. (more…)