It is “the best of times … it is the worst of times.” It is a time of renewal, looking ahead with promise and anticipation. It is also a time of pain, dread and fear.

 

For ABEC, the best of times is evidenced by the Board of Directors giving us a “thumbs up” on the proposals for a redesign of school finance. These proposals are now ready for broad distribution and public discussion. There is still more work to do. We need to drill down into the details and vet those ideas and concepts with our members and friends. For Arizona students and taxpayers, if we do this right, it means we should be able to make a close link between school funding and student learning. The best of times is also evidenced by the number in attendance at our Legislative Connection luncheon. Over a hundred members and key leaders from legislators to State Board of Education members, to local school board members and superintendents, and companies gathered together to network and hear from the chairs and ranking Democrats on both House and Senate Education Committees. The worst of times, of course, is evidenced by the very difficult legislative session ahead – tough decisions, conflict and struggle. We do believe there’s strength in dealing with this struggle together and we urge working together to find common ground.

 

And for the future? January is the month of predictions. Plus, we’re at the beginning of a new decade. If you’ve not read Margaret Wheatley’s Leadership and the New Science, you must. “It’s time to realize that we will never cope with this new world using our old maps. It is our fundamental way of interpreting the world — our worldview — that must change. Only such a shift can give us the capacity to understand what’s going on, and to respond wisely. I’ve been out in the world for many years describing the new worldview that science offers us.” she writes. “In my travels, I’ve met hundreds of thousands of people who have shifted their view and are creating organizations that are adaptive, creative and resilient. Yet many others are more cautious and doubtful.” She goes on to say, “This dramatic and turbulent world makes a mockery of our plans and predictions. It keeps us on edge, anxious and sleepless. Nothing makes sense anymore. Meaning eludes us. Some offer explanations that this is the end of times or the age of destruction. Whatever your personal beliefs and experiences, I invite you to consider that we need a new worldview to navigate this chaotic time. We cannot hope to make sense using our old maps. It won’t help to dust them off or reprint them in bold colors. The more we rely on them, the more disoriented we become. They cause us to focus on the wrong things and blind us to what’s significant. Using them, we will journey only to greater chaos.”

 

As for the future in this decade for education, here’s what USA Today had to say:

These are excruciating but exciting times. Let us not be cautious and doubtful, but adaptable and creative throughout this chaos. We and our institutions will emerge stronger and more resilient.

Always hoping for the best for our students,

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