I have concluded that we are not prioritizing the right outcomes as we guide students through today’s educational system. In any endeavor, there are goals and constraints that must be considered. Given these constraints, the way we choose to optimize our efforts to meet our goals has a significant impact on the actions we take and the results we achieve.
In this post, I will outline where I believe we are going wrong, resulting in the production of many graduates who may not possess the necessary skills to succeed in the real world. Although my observations are based on my understanding of the data science discipline and my personal experience in the business world, I believe that similar concerns are relevant on a broader scale.
Real-World Examples Highlighting The Issue
Some time ago, I found myself stuck in an airport due to a flight delay. At the airport, I encountered a group of 6-7 students from a widely respected university that is universally considered a “top tier” institution. Given the high grades and test scores required for admission, only the most accomplished students are accepted. After chatting with the students for 15-20 minutes, I found them to be nice and intelligent. However, I couldn’t help but notice that only one of them possessed the qualities I would look for when hiring someone. Most of the students appeared awkward, avoided eye contact, and lacked confidence in a social setting. Similarly, I witnessed a similar scenario at a high school sports award ceremony, where a student with top grades displayed social awkwardness despite academic excellence.
The Problem Is Systemic
These examples are not isolated incidents but rather a product of the current system. With the prevailing emphasis on grades and test scores, we are rewarding students who maximize their academic performance but neglect essential social skills and personal development. Many teenagers are more glued to their phones than interacting with peers, which is a worrying trend. By prioritizing grades and test scores, we are overlooking the development of well-rounded individuals. In the fields of analytics and data science, executives often stress the significance of soft skills, communication capabilities, and emotional intelligence for professional success.
Addressing the Issue
While reversing back to in-person interviews for university admissions may not be viable, there are certain measures that can be taken. Educational institutions can introduce team-based project courses, incorporate public speaking opportunities, mandate participation in group activities, and offer courses focused on effective communication and conflict management. While maintaining the importance of academic achievement, students should also be encouraged to focus on personal growth and social skills. Progress is being made in some educational programs, but there is still much to be done.
What the education system needs most is for its stakeholders – employers, parents, and students – to demand change. Unless we rethink our priorities and shift away from an overemphasis on grades and test scores, we will continue to produce graduates who are locally prepared but lack the well-rounded skills needed for success in the real world. A change in the outcomes we optimize for is crucial for the holistic development and future success of students.
Originally posted in the Analytics Matters newsletter on LinkedIn
The post Is Our Education System Optimizing For The Wrong Outcomes? appeared first on Datafloq.