Celebrating students’ “superpowers”: What tests can’t measure

Celebrating students’ “superpowers”: What tests can’t measure

Author: Ethical Schools January 20, 2024 Duration: 39:16

We speak with Dr. Peter Hughes, superintendent of New Jersey’s Cresskill School District, an affluent New York City suburb with large Korean and Israeli communities, about respecting disparate cultures while centering individual students’ interests, talents, and needs. We discuss effective means of communicating with bicultural parents and inclusive strategic planning. How can schools prepare students for joyful futures where they also serve others and are impactful on the world around them? 

Overview

00:00-00:16 Intros

00:16-01:47 Cresskill demographics

01:47-03:31 Engaging with parents in a multilingual community

03:31-05:04 Cultural differences in families’ relationships with the schools

05:04-07:32 Special education classification

07:32-12:09 What are parents looking for?

12:09-13:54 Stresses and issues for young people in a wealthy/professional community

13:54-17:51 Project-based learning and assessment

17:51-20:50 Incorporating ethics and “citizenship” in the classroom

20:50-26:09 Should schools instill values?

26:09-28:23 Making a difference

28:23-29:56 Student passions and “more inclusive vision of what students can do and bring to this world”

29:56-32:47 District’s education budget

32:47- Outro

Transcript


Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 240

Ethical Schools
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