Philosophy of Education
It is the belief of the Flanagan-Cornell Unit 74 Board of Education that there can be little higher responsibility, nor honorable profession, than that of preparing our young people to lead happy, productive and responsible lives.
Based on the premise that "School exists for Students", it is the position of this board of Education that the welfare of all boys and girls in the Unit 74 District shall be the primary objective underlying all decisions made by the board. To that end, it shall be the purpose of the Flanagan-Cornell Unit 74 Schools to develop in each student the capacity to think and reason, and to use one's mind well. We must ensure that each student develops those understandings, skills and habits of mind which will make it possible to lead a fulfilling, responsible and productive life in the twenty-first century.
It is our belief that with the right environment, support and opportunity, every student can and will learn. It should be the goal of every teacher, every day, to provide learning opportunities for their students which ensure that each day, each child will experience success in school.
Recognizing that we are living in a rapidly evolving global economy, for our schools to be effective we must adapt to the realities of an Information Based Society. This is best characterized by "knowledge work" which involves problem solving, versus passive absorption of facts to be recited at some later time. In order to be productive in an Information Age, students must be capable of employing ideas, concepts and abstractions to solve problems, produce products, deliver services or otherwise provide some useful outcome.
Flanagan-Cornell Unit 74 must provide a climate which values and encourages student directed learning which develops students who will not merely acquire knowledge, but also have the ability to apply it, students who are able to think critically and solve problems logically and students who have a sense of community, which balances self interest with the interest of others.
The Board recognizes that the school cannot and should not attempt to replace the home as the essential element in the development of the individual, but the primary obligation of the school district rests in preparing its students to function productively and responsibly in the twenty first-century.
It is the belief of the Flanagan-Cornell Unit 74 Board of Education that there can be little higher responsibility, nor honorable profession, than that of preparing our young people to lead happy, productive and responsible lives.
Based on the premise that "School exists for Students", it is the position of this board of Education that the welfare of all boys and girls in the Unit 74 District shall be the primary objective underlying all decisions made by the board. To that end, it shall be the purpose of the Flanagan-Cornell Unit 74 Schools to develop in each student the capacity to think and reason, and to use one's mind well. We must ensure that each student develops those understandings, skills and habits of mind which will make it possible to lead a fulfilling, responsible and productive life in the twenty-first century.
It is our belief that with the right environment, support and opportunity, every student can and will learn. It should be the goal of every teacher, every day, to provide learning opportunities for their students which ensure that each day, each child will experience success in school.
Recognizing that we are living in a rapidly evolving global economy, for our schools to be effective we must adapt to the realities of an Information Based Society. This is best characterized by "knowledge work" which involves problem solving, versus passive absorption of facts to be recited at some later time. In order to be productive in an Information Age, students must be capable of employing ideas, concepts and abstractions to solve problems, produce products, deliver services or otherwise provide some useful outcome.
Flanagan-Cornell Unit 74 must provide a climate which values and encourages student directed learning which develops students who will not merely acquire knowledge, but also have the ability to apply it, students who are able to think critically and solve problems logically and students who have a sense of community, which balances self interest with the interest of others.
The Board recognizes that the school cannot and should not attempt to replace the home as the essential element in the development of the individual, but the primary obligation of the school district rests in preparing its students to function productively and responsibly in the twenty first-century.
