Fundamentals are critical

This is the third in a series of posts explaining the Acton Academy Principles of Education.

 Education Principle #3: Fundamentals are critical

Math:

The fundamentals of reading, writing and math are critical in our daily lives. Every child must master the fundamentals. At Acton, we don't prescribe to studying for standardized tests. We focus on developing student skills needed for mastery of all basic fundamentals.

While the importance of learning fundamentals has not changed, the skills needed within each realm has evolved (as it should have) as we have moved beyond the industrial age, when our mass modern education system was first implemented. In their book Most Likely to Succeed, Tony Wagner and Ted Dintersmith detail how the skills needed to succeed have evolved in each realm.

Math:

20th Century Model

21st Century Model

Memorization of low-level procedures Pattern recognition Ability to perform calculations by hand Speed Accuracy Ability to perform well under time pressure

Deeply understanding the problem Structuring the problem and representing is symbolically Creative problem-solving Pattern recognition to understand which math "tools" are relevant Adept use of available computation resources Crticial evaluation of first-pass results Estimation, statistics and decision-making Taking chances, risking failure, and iterating to refine and perfect Synthesizing results Presenting/communicating complex quantitative information Collaboration Asking questions about complex quantitative information

Language Arts:

20th Century Model English	21st Century Model Language Arts (Writing, Reading, Speaking / Presenting, Spelling, Vocabulary, Reading)
Clear penmanship Proper spelling / grammar Sound vocabulary Ability to read written materials (novels, poems, plays) Ability to write in complete sentences	Use sound vocabulary Read a wide variety of written materials (novels, poems, plays, essays, news) critically Communicate clearly across multiple media forms, with a range of styles Form and justify independent bold perspectives Ask thoughtful questions Engage in constructive debate

The authors also laid out how their view of how other "majors" should be treated in the 21st century.

History:

20th Century Model	21st Century Model
Coverage of important events and figures Ability to recall important historical facts Write short essays clearly recounting historical information	Critically analyze historical events and sources Form independent views on dynamics and implications Write clear and thought-provoking theses

Science:

20th Century Model	21st Century Model
Cover core disciplines - physics, chemistry, biology Cover key definitions, formulas, and concepts Gain familiarity with basic lab procedures	Understand how the world works Be able to form and test scientific hypotheses Be able to ask insightful questions and design experiments Build things based on scientific principles Apply principles across disciplines Develop scientific creativity

Foreign Language:

20th Century Model	21st Century Model
Sound vocabulary and knowledge of verbs and tenses Ability to read and comprehend written materials Ability to write basic compositions in the language Focus on languages for science or ancient cultures	True proficiency is speaking Understanding cultures and the ability to navigate them Ability to collaborate across cultures Technology-leveraged polylinguality

Further Recommended Reading: Most Likely to Succeed by Tony Wagner and Ted Dintersmith