Behind the Craft Why K-12 Education Is Broken for High Achieving Kids | Niels Hoven (Mentava)
Nov 17, 2024
Niels Hoven, founder and CEO of Mentava, discusses the flaws in the K-12 education system, particularly for high-achieving students. He shares insights on how policies aimed at equity can limit opportunities for advanced learners. Niels highlights innovative strategies, including teaching 2-year-olds to read at a 2nd-grade level, and explores the role of AI in personalizing education. He also emphasizes the importance of parental advocacy and balancing academics with social interactions for gifted children.
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Focus of Education Policy
- Modern education policy prioritizes closing achievement gaps over individual potential.
- This often limits high-achieving students by restricting above-grade-level material.
8th Grade Algebra Ban
- San Francisco's eighth-grade algebra ban, later overturned by an 80% public vote, exemplifies this.
- This policy aimed to close the achievement gap but limited opportunities for advanced students.
Education as an Equalizer
- Policymakers often view education as an equalizer, aiming for equal outcomes rather than maximizing individual potential.
- This hurts low-income families who rely on public schools while wealthier families have alternatives.