American education is in the midst of a crisis, and worried parents across the country know it all too well.
Far more complex and alarming than today's declining test scores, the K-12 crisis concerns the most basic ideas about what education should be for young people.
For all the learning loss associated with misguided COVID-19 policies, one silver lining is that American parents are paying more attention to what's happening in schools since the pandemic.
The virtues of courage, compassion, work, friendship — these must be taught, say Bill Bennett and Elaine Bennett
That's why, in this post-COVID-19 environment, parents are looking to smart solutions to challenges.
Their children's futures, and our children's futures, are at stake.
It's so simple yet so profound.
Former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett, along with his wife Elaine Grover Bennett, is the author and editor of The Book of Virtues: 30th Anniversary Edition (Simon & Schuster). Children “need to learn virtue,” he says. “And parents, teachers, leaders, and caregivers can help children understand and recognize these traits by providing them with materials to read about them.” (Fox News)
30 years ago I wrote this “Book of Virtue” Assisting parents and teachers in the time-honored task of moral education.
These virtues are the basic anchors of life: courage, perseverance, honesty, loyalty, compassion, self-control, friendship, work, responsibility.
These precious virtues have always been needed, but perhaps today more than ever.
Parents must fight new attacks on virtue
But as my wife Elaine Grover Bennett and I wrote last year in the 30th anniversary edition of The Book of Virtues, children are not born knowing these virtues.
They need to learn virtue.
And parents, teachers, leaders, and caregivers can help children understand and recognize these traits by providing them with materials to read about them.
“Several states are currently seeking innovative ways to address the educational crisis that include these virtues, and one such effort is taking place in South Carolina,” writes William Bennett. ing. (In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images)
Several states are currently exploring innovative ways to address the education crisis that include these virtues, and one such effort is taking place in South Carolina.
No matter what political winds blow, the nation has remained wisely focused on virtues and values over the years.
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And now, as South Carolina stays ahead of the curve and urges other states to do the same, state Superintendent Ellen Weaver is launching a bold new project that collectively addresses three issues: We are getting started.
This three-pronged project aims to:
- Improve reading and writing skills.
- Provide character education that all parents can support.and
- Communicate the cultural literacy children need to succeed in life.
Weaver's South Carolina Department of Education funded a new approach that addresses all three key challenges through an innovation grant. resilience learningan organization of which I am honored to serve as Chairman.
The first-of-its-kind initiative will run on a unique learning platform called . Amira Learning. Amira is the result of advances in our understanding of how children learn to read (i.e., the “science of reading”) and advances in intelligent technology.
The intelligent learning platform listens to children as they read and provides personalized assistance to students in real time.
“Through a new South Carolina pilot project, Resilient Learning will provide students with stories that promote both character development and cultural literacy,” said former Education Secretary Bill Bennett. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Doing so generates a detailed assessment for each child, which teachers, tutors and parents use to guide the child's proficiency and diagnose where the child needs to improve. .
This is a breakthrough technology, with incredible metrics proving its effectiveness.
On Children and Reading, William Bennett talks about his 'incredible literacy success' in Montgomery, Alabama
Of course, this innovative platform will help children learn to read and write. what They read things deeply.
The stories children read through Resilience Learning are full of hope, encouragement, and possibility. Through a new pilot project in South Carolina, Resilience Learning will provide students with stories that promote both character development and cultural literacy.
“We hope that other states and communities will take a similar approach as South Carolina and create stories that lead our children to greatness.”
Many of these stories are “Book of Virtue” — “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, “The Magic Cliff” by Willa Cather, “The Ant and the Grasshopper” by Aesop, “Paul Revere’s Vehicle” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, etc. on the theme of moral consciousness “George Washington's Farewell Address'' is just a few examples of his timeless gems.
In addition to using excerpts from “The Book of Virtues,” Resilience Learning also includes inspirational stories students read about extraordinary South Carolinians.
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For example, read about the perseverance of Francis Marion, the swamp fox during the American Revolution. Robert Smalls' courage in fighting for freedom during the Civil War. and Mary McLeod Bethune's determination to improve opportunities for countless young people.
South Carolina State Capitol in Columbia, May 16, 2023. “As South Carolina continues to stay ahead of the curve and inspire others to do the same, State Superintendent Ellen Weaver is embarking on a bold new project,” wrote Bill Bennett. There is. It aims to “improve literacy, provide character education that all parents can support, and impart the cultural literacy skills that children need to succeed in life.” (Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images)
Today, only 33% of fourth graders in America can read proficiently, but other states and communities are taking a similar approach to becoming the world's first intelligent children to read. As you teach, you are expected to create stories that lead children to greatness. , an evidence-based reading platform.
South Carolina leaders and Superintendent Weaver, who provided funding for the Innovation Grant, are proud to announce this imaginative effort to improve literacy while teaching fundamental character traits and cultural literacy that all Americans can rally around. should be congratulated for launching the
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This is a win for children, one worth emulating, and one that all parents, no matter where they live, can get behind.
“Book of Virtue 30th Anniversary Edition” (Simon & Schuster) can be purchased on Amazon and elsewhere.
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