The Next School

It has been said that a Baby Boomer could, in 2006, go back to his or her elementary school and feel perfectly at home. Except for the fact that everything would look smaller, that's probably true. Instructional methodology has changed little from the early 60's. The best promises of technology--the potential to transform classrooms into engaging places to teach and learn--have not been realized in the majority of classrooms.

If classrooms haven't changed much since the 60's, will they change much in the next 10 years? Some certainly have. For example, there is an increasing trend toward one-to-one laptop programs in many states. Many of these have been spectacular successes in terms of student achievement and engagement. Some have not.