The Problem: School leaders are asked to explain a whole lot of things that don’t actually matter, using technical language very few understand.
See what families say matters most for their childrenTrust in public schools is dangerously low, all because the public can’t see what they do.
The bravEd frameworks make the benefits of schooling visible, understandable, and trustworthy — without relying on test scores.
According to Gallup, more than 70% of parents trust the schools their children attend.
But only 27% of Americans feel the same about public schooling.
Trust doesn’t fail because schools don’t care. It fails because what parents know doesn’t scale.
Learn how trust starts to travel
The difference between schools that have the tools to build trust in what they do, and those that do not, is night and day.
Before: Compliance-Based Accountability
Schools are asked to explain:
- Test score trends
- Program fidelity
- Implementation “metrics”
How it’s explained:
- Technical language
- Abstract indicators
- Compliance reports
What families hear:
- “Test scores are up/down”
- “We’re in compliance with state and federal requirements”
Result:
- Confusion
- Distrust
- A story that doesn't travel
The critical question that rarely gets answered:
Where are our schools effective, and where do they have challenges they’ll need to work on?
After: Trustworthy Understandings
What schools choose to explain:
- The benefits being delivered
- The challenges they face
- Where innovations and change will be necessary
How it’s explained:
- Shared language
- Plain evidence
- Stories anchored in meaningful work
What families hear:
- “This is what we are doing for your child”
- “Here is how you can see that”
Result:
- Meaningful understandings
- Alignment with needs
- Trust and narratives that travel
The critical question that will be easy to answer:
Where are our schools effective, and where do they have challenges they’ll need to work on?
Trust grows when people outside the system can see, understand, and talk about what schools are doing — in ways that make sense to them.
Take the next step that is right for you
Build a foundation in building trust based on what matters
Who is this for? Both individuals and teams of educators interested in learning more about how to account for what matters and build trust in what they do.
What changes? Accountability was always supposed to be a discipline of leadership, not a blunt instrument based in compliance. You'll create a foundation that will let you take the next steps.
Create a better accountability environment across your school or district
Who is this for? School and district leadership teams interested in building out a new way to account for all the things they do that matter to parents and communities.
What changes? You'll be able to blunt the effects of your state accountability system by putting in place a system capable of creating real understanding and a deep trust that can and will travel.
Turn trust in education into a movement
Who is this for? Any and all advocates interested in growing the trust in what our public schools do so that their work can have its full effect.
What changes? Building trust requires the right research-based tools. 8 Ways to Trust packages these tools in a way that any advocate can use in their work. The result is a widespread trust in the advocacy that can scale.
This work makes a difference
The voices of your colleagues provide the strongest argument for taking a next step. You can read what they say below, and listen to several of them in the video.
“When I think about bravEd's work, it reminds me of that Mickey Mantle quote, ‘it's unbelievable how much you don't know about a game you've been playing your whole life.’”
Dr. Jack Rice, Executive Director, The Maple League Of Universities Director, Online Learning, Graduate, And Professional Studies, StFX
