I’ve got a column on the benefits of failure and the evils of inflated self-esteem at Sharp Brains. Naturally, I write about the charter high school in my book, Our School.
Honesty is the school policy. No time is spent inflating self-esteem. Instead, students are told that they’re way behind but have the ability to improve if they work hard.
Students don’t crumble when they’re told that they’re behind. They’re not stupid. They already know that. What they don’t know is what to do about it. Their teachers tell them how to catch up, step by step.
Empty praise doesn’t inspire students. It tells them they’re not capable of real achievement, so they might as well give up. Honesty shows respect. Young people like that.
Amen! I went to the link and read the complete piece and agree 100%. This notion that we are responsible for building self-esteem drives me crazy. Self-esteem comes naturally when the kids see their own successes through their own work–no matter how small the success.