{"id":8801,"date":"2019-02-16T02:55:16","date_gmt":"2019-02-16T02:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/blog\/a-better-school\/"},"modified":"2019-02-16T02:55:16","modified_gmt":"2019-02-16T02:55:16","slug":"a-better-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/tech\/a-better-school\/","title":{"rendered":"A Better School"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ep_xMmhOqUI\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>3 million kids (mostly boys) are given medication that\u2019s supposed to make them sit still and focus. <\/p>\n<p>But what if schools, not kids, are the problem?<br \/>\n&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;<br \/>\nSubscribe to my YouTube channel: http:\/\/youtube.com\/johnstossel<br \/>\nLike me on Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JohnStossel\/<br \/>\nFollow me on Twitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/johnstossel<br \/>\n&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;<\/p>\n<p>One former public school student, Cade Summers, tells John Stossel that he hated the effect of the drugs &#8212; that it was like he had been &#8220;lobotomized.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Cade\u2019s parents took him off the \u201cattention deficit\u201d drugs and sent him to other schools. But Cade hated them all. &#8220;I would come home and I would sometimes just cry,&#8221; Cade tells Stossel.<\/p>\n<p>Then he heard of a new type of school in Austin, Texas. It promised to let kids discuss ideas, and to do real-world work. <\/p>\n<p>But the school, the Academy of Thought and Industry, is a private school that charges tuition.<\/p>\n<p>So Cade started getting up at 3AM to work in a coffee shop to help pay the tuition.  <\/p>\n<p>What kind of school could possibly be worth that to a kid? <\/p>\n<p>The school&#8217;s founder, Michael Strong, says kids learn best when they are given actual responsibility, real life work. &#8220;Teens need responsibility &#8230; Ben Franklin, Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, started their careers at the age of 12 or 13,&#8221; he points out.<\/p>\n<p>Nowadays people consider that abusive child labor, Stossel notes.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I worked as a teen,&#8221; Strong said. &#8220;I loved it. Teens very often want to work.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Strong&#8217;s schools do many things differently. Students get Fridays off to work on their own projects. School starts at 10am. There are no lectures &#8212; instead students read, and then discuss what they read. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s different from schools Strong once attended&#8211;and hated.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;School is 13 years of how to be passive, how to be dependent,&#8221; Strong tells Stossel.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;School is about aim, aim, aim, aim, aim, and never get stuff done. So I want students who just go out there and get stuff done, fail, get up, try again. That&#8217;s how we become creators, entrepreneurs &#8230; We want them to do what they love now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>For Cade, that meant doing a marketing internship Fridays, where he did actual work. <\/p>\n<p>When he completed Strong&#8217;s school, he got a job right away &#8212; at a tech startup that normally requires a college degree.<\/p>\n<p>Another Academy graduate runs a successful metal music festival called &#8220;Austin Terror Fest.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>All kids at Strong&#8217;s schools work on some kind of project.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m currently working on making a web-based chat application,&#8221; one boy told us. &#8220;I wanna be a programmer. I love programming&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>A girl at the school works at a paintball range on weekends.  &#8220;If they love paintball, then they should do a business in that,\u201d says Strong.<\/p>\n<p>Most of his students also end up going to college.  Strong points out, \u201cWe&#8217;ve had students admitted to top liberal arts colleges. Bard, Bennington&#8230;&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course they do well,&#8221; Stossel interrupts. &#8220;You&#8217;re charging fat tuition. Only rich kids can afford to go there and they&#8217;re going to do well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The kind of kids that we get come from all walks of life,&#8221; Strong responds. &#8220;We had a student from New Jersey&#8230; he was incapable of functioning in the highly structured public school systems &#8230; in the public schools needed a full time aide &#8230; He was costing the state an enormous amount of money. He came to our school &#8230; He did not need an aide.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Coming here is just healing. It&#8217;s incredible,&#8221; that student, Josh, told us.<\/p>\n<p>Strong hopes his schools will be a model for other schools that let kids learn through real world work. <\/p>\n<p>That approach works so much better for some kid that they willingly wake up at 3am to go to work to help pay tuition.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It was me choosing my life,&#8221; Cade says.<\/p>\n<h3>More info on A Better School<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ss-local-rss\"><div class=\"rss_header\"><h2><a href=\"https:\/\/cn.bing.com\/news\/search\/?q=A+Better+School&amp;qft=sortbydate%3D%221%22&amp;format=rss\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"rss_title\">A Better School - BingNews<\/a><br \/><span class=\"rss_description\"> Search results<\/span><\/h2><\/div><ul>\n            <li>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&amp;aid=&amp;tid=66347c57730c46a08762ed1143e7828b&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.devdiscourse.com%2Farticle%2Feducation%2F2926136-4-things-schools-can-implement-immediately-to-combat-gender-based-violence&amp;c=11954362594078396204&amp;mkt=en-us\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t4 Things Schools Can Implement Immediately to Combat Gender-Based Violence\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>This inevitably shapes young peoples understanding and expectations of sex.While exposure to porn will not necessarily have only negative impacts, and pornography is not to solely blame, studies ...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n            \n            <li>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&amp;aid=&amp;tid=66347c57730c46a08762ed1143e7828b&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.msn.com%2Fen-us%2Fnews%2Fus%2Fwvtm-13-joins-better-basics-in-promoting-literacy-in-classrooms-across-central-alabama%2Far-AA1o4uiT&amp;c=11119991937940770188&amp;mkt=en-us\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWVTM 13 joins Better Basics in promoting literacy in classrooms across Central Alabama\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>WVTM 13 employees had the pleasure of joining more than two dozen volunteers at Tuggle Elementary School to show even the youngest minds the value of reading a good book.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n            \n            <li>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&amp;aid=&amp;tid=66347c57730c46a08762ed1143e7828b&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newspressnow.com%2Fopinion%2Fguest_columns%2Fbetter-prepared-students-better-paid-teachers%2Farticle_320147c6-08a7-11ef-af13-eb69b418b235.html&amp;c=7010273173230412453&amp;mkt=en-us\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBetter prepared students, better paid teachers\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>In his final year in office, Governor Mike Parson has proposed significant investments in Missouri\u2019s families, teachers, and students. Senate Bill 727, a bipartisan education package, now awaits ...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n            \n            <li>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&amp;aid=&amp;tid=66347c57730c46a08762ed1143e7828b&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nj.com%2Fhighschoolsports%2F2024%2F05%2Fabsegami-softball-continues-breakout-season-with-win-over-williamstown.html&amp;c=6024126338979823463&amp;mkt=en-us\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAbsegami softball continues breakout season with win over Williamstown\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Absegami\u2019s aggressive baserunning and Williamstown\u2019s momentary defensive lapse made it a 4-1 game. Williamstown scored twice in the top of the seventh, but freshman pitcher Meghan Johansen induced a ...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n            \n            <li>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&amp;aid=&amp;tid=66347c57730c46a08762ed1143e7828b&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsday.com%2Fsports%2Fbasketball%2Fnets%2Fnets-1974-aba-champs-dr-j-jtek5viu&amp;c=16617178854414794134&amp;mkt=en-us\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJulius Erving, Nets reminisce about magical ABA championship run 50 years ago\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Newsday wrote after the final game in 1974, \"The victory was the culmination of an extraordinary season for the youngest basketball team ever to win a professional title.\" ...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n            \n            <li>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&amp;aid=&amp;tid=66347c57730c46a08762ed1143e7828b&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningjournal.com%2F2024%2F05%2F02%2Fcolumbia-baseball-kody-hall-lands-in-the-state-record-books-with-third-no-hitter-of-2024%2F&amp;c=10491031147045218212&amp;mkt=en-us\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tColumbia baseball: Kody Hall lands in the state record books with third no-hitter of 2024\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>This season has been one of the better ones for the Columbia Raiders, but especially for senior ace Kody Hall. On April 5, Hall pulled off his first no-hitter with a five-inning, 13-strikeout ...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n            \n            <li>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&amp;aid=&amp;tid=66347c57730c46a08762ed1143e7828b&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesunion.com%2Fnews%2Farticle%2Fjill-biden-is-hosting-a-white-house-state-19435868.php&amp;c=5684966120340289655&amp;mkt=en-us\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJill Biden recognizes her fellow teachers at a swanky White House dinner for answering 'a calling'\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 First lady Jill Biden was opening the White House on Thursday to more than 50 of America's best educators, hosting the 2024 national and state teachers of the year at a fancy dinner ...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n            \n            <li>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&amp;aid=&amp;tid=66347c57730c46a08762ed1143e7828b&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc15.com%2Fnews%2Fregion-southeast-valley%2Fgilbert%2Fmesquite-high-community-remembers-basketball-coach-killed-in-crash&amp;c=3652890795906928954&amp;mkt=en-us\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMesquite High community remembers basketball coach killed in crash\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Students, staff and the East Valley are mourning the loss of a beloved high school basketball coach who made a big difference in his community and the lives of his students.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n            \n            <li>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&amp;aid=&amp;tid=66347c57730c46a08762ed1143e7828b&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wfae.org%2Feducation%2F2024-05-02%2Ftown-hall-in-spanish-helps-cms-reach-a-growing-segment-of-the-community&amp;c=11534381844721798721&amp;mkt=en-us\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTown hall in Spanish helps CMS reach a growing segment of the community\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will hold a town hall in Spanish to connect with a growing segment of the community.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n            \n            <li>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&amp;aid=&amp;tid=66347c57730c46a08762ed1143e7828b&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fucla%2Fbasketball%2FHigh-Upside-New-Transfer-Explains-Decision-to-Head-to-Westwood-ak1987&amp;c=5419848989332833458&amp;mkt=en-us\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tUCLA Basketball: High-Upside New Transfer Explains Decision to Head to Westwood\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>New UCLA Bruins transfer Dominick Harris, formerly of Loyola Marymount University, explained his thinking behind the decision to join Mick Cronin's group following an unfortunate 16-17 2023-24 season, ...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n            <\/ul> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>3 million kids (mostly boys) are given medication that\u2019s supposed to make them sit still and focus. But what if schools, not kids, are the problem? &#8212;&#8212;&#8212; Subscribe to my YouTube channel: http:\/\/youtube.com\/johnstossel Like me on Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JohnStossel\/ Follow me on Twitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/johnstossel &#8212;&#8212;&#8212; One former public school student, Cade Summers, tells John Stossel that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8802,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[1871,909],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/ep_xMmhOqUI.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8801"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8801"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8801\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.austinshortfilm.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}