Our failing schools. Enough is enough! | Geoffrey Canada

Why, why, why does our education system look so similar to the way it did 50 years ago? Millions of students were failing then, as they are now -- and it's because we're clinging to a business model that clearly doesn't work. Education advocate Geoffrey Canada dares the system to look at the data, think about the customers and make systematic shifts in order to help greater numbers of kids excel.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[SlothGuru]

A message for those who made the descision to search for this video, I embrace you for taking the opportunity to educate yourself in your spare time. You're not ignorant or a threat to the society, you're the solution.

Just wanted to say that.

[ritnim]

This is one of the Ted talks that are extremely under acknowledged and deserve way more attention.

[RoseDempseyFunForKids]

I LOVE this man. I wish he was Secretary of Education and could convert all our schools to what made his Harlem Children's Zone such a success

[rosacutejenniely]

People are petty and want the school systems to stay the same because they're logic is ' I had to suffer through it so you should too'. Stupidity.

[academyofmine]

A school that's failed for 56 years was asked "what are you going to do different this year?" They responded with "we're going to do what we did last year". I'm feeling disappointed to be an adult. Let's pick up our socks adults and educators. The facts are in on education. And remember.... “Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.” ― Margaret Atwood

[xso_]

Ah yes.. our school system still sucks seven years later. We're still forced to learn topics that do nothing to our daily lives. I'm in the 10th grade and I'm beginning to have a daily breakdown because of the amount of stress school has given me. My teachers tell me to "go outside, " "spend time with my family, " "enjoy today, " and "have fun." But how am I supposed to do those things, when I'm constantly worried about what I'll get on the next test and still finishing up work they assigned that day. How am I supposed to be happy, when I barely have time in the day to do activities that I enjoy doing. But most importantly, how am I supposed to succeed in life, when I barely have the will to learn.
It's been too long... nothing has changed. I'm beginning to believe that this system will still be in place when my children go to school, and I'm very worried about that. I wouldn't wish for anyone's children to go through what I and millions of other kids have gone through and are still going through. It's absolute torture.

[HumanistJohn]

The problem with standardized tests is that the stakes are SO high. They turn teachers into factory line workers who must install countless pieces/parts into children so they can do well on THE test. An inspiring Dead Poets Society type teacher doesn't have much room to be inspiring anymore.

[williamfisher]

if you say you care about kids or the future of this country, watch this please.

[IcyPinguin]

"The whole basis of social operation today is a profit system. As long as you have a profit system, all your universities are tuned to the monetary system. The universities are not tuned to human betterment. They are not tuned to the well being of society. The universities are supported by the food industry, by wealthy corporations, and if you threaten them at the university level, that support will be withdrawn. You will not be permitted to talk against the mass productive systems of the present day economy. If you speak against those systems at a university, they would lose their support." - Jacque Fresco

[APP]

Absolutely agree with Mr. Jeff. I was an educator for seven yrs., and implemented what he said, and had basically nothing but success. Listen to the wise ones, and you'll become wise; follow the stupid one, and you fair badly. He obviously is wise.

[frankrodrigues]

This Man was the President of my high school "Robert W White School in Boston Massachusetts. Thank God for him and the rest of the faculty there. They saved my life !

[johnathannelson]

man this guy should come to my high school

[SpiffingLadyCat]

looks like Prince Ea has drawn a lot of inpsiration from this

[bricoyarte]

Great! I´m a teacher from Argentina, and this talk touch the reality of my country. Thanks a lot to share this.

[rowebil]

This guy made an excellent speech! Totally gained my attention when the video started! Best speech you could deliver. People on TED rated it as persuasive and I can see why on the attention grabbing start. He developed the attention, presented the need, satisfied the need, visualized the need to get a solution, and got the audience to take action. All five steps of MMS - a great persuasive speech.

[victoriamatthews]

“School systems are the microcosms of society.” In society, professional actors, singers, and athletes are highly paid and greatly respected; however, in schools, teachers are not on that level of financial gain or admiration. Like society, schools glorify male athletes, and female athletes are few and always less important. Also, students are more interested in pep rallies, school dances, sport games, and peer popularity, and those, who excel in academics, are considered nerds. In addition, the hierarchy of the school system needs reorganization whereby prestigious administrators are not over-paid and their salaries are equal to teachers . . . The structure of school systems has not allowed for change.

[charityh.]

Mobile County school district needs to hear this we have 11 failing schools in the county of Mobile Alabama..

[LeeMin-Ji]

As a teacher I have been equally as frustrated about the lack of time in a year and more so in a class period to teach my students.

[BowenDesignWorks]

I don't believe you can't discuss changing education in America without addressing the Teachers Unions that has caused much of the problem.

[flashhd]

Look at your neighbor and copy the one who is doing the best without compromising fun.
Finland has innovative education and Holland has the most rehabilitation penal system.