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While student success may depend upon core subject content like math and reading, other life skills are viewed as critical for student success. The annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll on American’s attitudes toward public education finds that most Americans believe that today’s schools should teach “soft” skills, like critical thinking, communication, and goal setting.
Gallup conducted 1,001 interviews among a national sample of adults 18 and older. The findings:
— More than three in four adults “strongly agree” that K-12 schools should teach critical thinking and communication to children.
— 64 percent of respondents strongly agree that goal setting should be taught.
— 61 percent strongly agree schools should know how to motivate students.
— 51 percent thought today’s schools should build students’ character.
District administrators of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, NC, in partnership with Connect with Kids and the Western District of North Carolina U.S. Attorney Office, are leading the way with the Making it Better initiative.
“We’re taking the risk to listen to our students and work together to do something different and create the changes in our culture that will fight bullying, reduce violence and help develop at every grade level the lifelong skills for lifelong success,” says Debra Kaclik, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Director of Curriculum Support Programs.
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