REINVENTION WITH PURPOSE cultures , and environmental and community stewardship .” It ’ s not just about traveling , fulfilling community service , or being bilingual .
At a high level , I contend that the purpose of K – 12 schools is to help students become individuals prepared to :
• Maximize their human potential ;
• Discover their purpose ;
• Build their passions and lead choicefilled lives ;
• Participate civically in a vibrant democracy as thoughtful , informed citizens capable of acting through the proper levers of society ;
• Contribute meaningfully to the world and the economy ; and
• Understand that people can see things differently — and that those differences merit respect rather than persecution .
I hold this view based on my reading of what it takes for students to be prepared to lead successful lives — as they define success — in our complex world . But my take isn ’ t what ’ s important here . What ’ s important is having that conversation in each schooling community and building something that is in line with its values as schooling is reinvented .
Once there is a clear vision , then schools can begin to dig into the work of how they would realize that purpose and think through the scope of their activities . Doing so before tackling the question of purpose risks embarking on a transition without a destination in sight . •
Michael Horn is the author of the new book From Reopen to Reinvent : ( Re ) creating School for Every Child . He is the cofounder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute .
From Reopen to Reinvent : ( Re ) Creating School for Every Child
by Michael B . Horn Jossey-Bass ( July 2022 )
Education strategist Michael B . Horn offers new , modern strategies to tackle old problems .
CSEE Connections Fall 2022 Page 29