Reach for Greatness: Personalizable Education for All Children

by Yong Zhao

How do you close the achievement gap? Start by changing the question.  

When we use the achievement gap to define success, we shortchange our students. It’s time to recognize that the potential for greatness lies in a unique form within each child―and that the goal of education should be to encourage and develop it. This inspiring manifesto brings in research from different disciplines and demonstrates how to uncover individual greatness by giving students control of their learning. You’ll also  

Genres: Education

120 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2018

About the author

Yong Zhao is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education, with a courtesy appointment in the School of Business, at the University of Kansas. He is also a global chair in education at East China Normal University. He previously served as the presidential chair and director of the Institute for Global and Online Education in the College of Education, University of Oregon, where he was also a professor in the Department of Educational Measurement, Policy, and Leadership. Prior to Oregon, Yong Zhao was University Distinguished Professor at the College of Education, Michigan State University, where he also served as the founding director of the Center for Teaching and Technology and executive director of the Confucius Institute as well as the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence. His works focus on the implications of globalization and technology on education. He has published over 100 articles and 30 books.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reach for Greatness urges educators to look beyond what has been done in the past and strive to guide students in being directors and active members in their own educational futures. The various examples of greatness achieved by specific schools and teachers was enlightening and interesting. However, ways in which to implement these types of programs was lacking. Other books are mentioned in the text and the 7 pages of references.

As an educator interested in providing students with effective and positive change, I was hoping to learn specific ways in which to make this happen. There are lists of qualities that teachers should have in order to make these positive changes, “teachers should have an extensive set of management and leadership skills that includes planning, communication, delegation, evaluation, and motivation.” (Of 79) Most of the teachers I know have these qualities and yet how do we guide students to reach for greatness? I finished this book still having the same questions with which I started it, albeit with some new schools and teachers to research.

[Gordon Eldridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yong Zhao outlines his vision for personalized education in this short book. He contrasts what he calls 'personalized' education where students are the ones driving the learning, with 'personalized' education, which has been personalized for the students to varying degrees by teachers or other adults. The book references some useful concepts to be considered in the areas of personalization and creates some useful frameworks for thinking about this work and moving towards greater student agency. Zhao also tells some inspiring stories about people who failed in the traditional world of education while succeeding in life ( mostly in business, though), but in the end the book just doesn't have enough meat to make it really interesting. Three things, for me at least, made this book far less interesting than I had hoped:

1. The book stays in the world of abstraction - it gives load of generalities around the idea or 'personalizable' education, but close to zero real specifics on what it really looks ( or could look like) like in practice.

2. Zhao oversimplifies and overgeneralizes quite drastically - for example, he says " if a child is not interested in or not good at something, it should be avoided". While there is great merit in focusing on interests and strengths, there is also merit in helping students discover new interests, try new things and also helping them realize that some of their goals will doubtless require them to work on their weaknesses. Is it OK for a kid to decide they are not interested in learning to read, for example, because they are not good at it??

3. Almost every example of practice given in the book is about students 'creating businesses' and 'producing products'. There is little to no mention of other areas where learning can be applied to the world without it needing to become a 'product'. And sadly, there is no mention whatsoever of leaving room for the simple joy of coming to understand how the world around us work, whether or not we can turn that learning immediately into a 'product'.

[Trina E Emler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humans are unique, creative, and individually unique in how their talents and interests interact with genetic abilities, society, nature, and life. Zhao nails it in the head as he highlights this and our need to tap into and allow this untold wealth to grow and expand to meet the needs of the individual and society.

[La-Shanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is highly recommended if you are a stakeholder in education. Zhao, argues there is a need to support students as they aim for greatness. This requires education to shift from prescriptive instruction to personalized learning building upon each student strengths and needs (Maslow) instead of deficits and weaknesses (Freud).

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This research will add to our quest for developing a school environment that is engaging, interesting, challenging and innovative. We need to move away from our current path that settles for mediocrity. Good and current research to share.

[Shelly Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This theoretical- and research-based book argues convincingly for personalizable (not personalized) learning wherein students largely determine their studies. It argues against the choke hold of traditional educational practices that exterminate the fire in so many curious kids.

[ML O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great easy read by Yong Zhao on the change required urgently in the education sector and ensure it benefits ALL children.

[David Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A succinct overview of how schools need to change for all students. Zhao explores how we should be teaching to strengths to reach greatness instead of focussing on the deficits. Many good ideas here.

[Marg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable.