“A built-in, shock-proof, crap detector.”
That was Ernest Hemingway’s response when asked if there were one quality needed, above all others, to be a good writer. Neil Postman took that line and proposed it as the best thing schools can do for a child.
I wholeheartedly agree! Life if hard, very hard for those who are easily duped. But how do we install these “built-in crap detectors” in our children? This website is an attempt to answer that question, so lets get started.
Creativity
Sir Ken Robinson has spoken and written extensively on creativity and education. In 2006 he explained how School Kills Creativity at TED.
This February he spoke at TED again, this time arguing for an Education Revolution that attempts to personalize curriculum.
I urge Superintendent Lowe, Director of Curriculum McGarry, the Board of Education, parents and community members to heed Sir Ken Robinson’s advice. My hope is that Asbury Park Public Schools are creative in designing our new curriculum, but more importantly, that they leave creative room for our children.
An Opportunity
With the writing of a new district-wide curriculum there is an enormous opportunity to do something unique in Asbury Park. We have the chance to create a diverse course of study that serves the needs of all our students, not just those college bound. My biggest fear is that we produce a state of the art, UbD (Understanding by Design), 21st Century Skills curriculum that does not connect with our kids.
We need to take a hard look at what the youth of Asbury Park need. My posts over the next few months will address what I see as their needs and suggest models that Asbury Park can use to guide its curriculum development.
Let us start with our “At Risk” population. 12-years experience in education has taught me that tradition classroom instruction does not work well for most of us, especially those with “Special Needs.” PBS News Hour did a 10-minute video reviewing an alternative school in New Orleans that is finding some success with at risk youth.
Below are some highlights and associated time markers of the video clip:
- Student Type (0:27 ): From my experience in the Asbury Park High School and community, this accurately describes a portion of our population.
- Circle of Courage (3:25): An example of true alternative education. Many students need help with this type of emotional development before they can worry about academic achievement.
- Dual Enrollment (7:08): Wonderful example of a diverse vocational program that is catered to suit the needs of students.
Asbury Schools 
What is AP’s current curricula in LA, Math, Sci, etc.? I am an alum of the district and now my step-son is attending the HS. I have always been a supporter of AP and I’m a perfect example that our system worked. However, now I am very upset with the work that I see him bringing home. It doesn’t seem to be challenging or engaging. I would love to know how to help the teachers achieve their goal of helping the students. I may have to become a regular at the board meetings.