True Educational Grit

Marquel, TPVs NYTimes True Grit Section correspondent, was grinding his teeth when he read Should Schools Teach Personality?  Traits like “grit,” more associated with personality than with intelligence per se, are capturing the attention of educators.

But can they really be taught? Marquel wondered “should they? ” Marquel was uneasy mostly because one person’s grit could be another’s stupidity. Do we really want to teach our children to be stupid? It’s possible but why not say so.

The biggest proponents of grit training, or character education is, unsurprisingly, a charter school. And, also unsurprising, it’s a chain charter school, just like any business focusing on profit. They go into Harlem, can’t figure what to do with a classroom of students who haven’t learned to add, and teach them grit. Huh?

Marquel had to go speak to these people, assuming they could do so.

At the school, he met with the education director. She explained the program.

“We try to set up scenarios where grit is essential, then set the kids free and let them try out their wings.” She said.

“When the school bell rings. Then the lesson is over.” She said.

“We do it personally. The teacher reports on each student.” She said.

“Not quite. I don’t think gritty people are unlikable. Do you?” She asked.

“We do that too,” she insisted.

“But we do more character training.” She said.

“The teachers have kind of free rein or at least lots of discretion there.” She said. She offered to let me talk with one teacher while her students were concentrating on the art of being quiet. The classroom was silent. Not bad, I thought.

“Yes, but as a prelude to the next stage.” She said.

“Discipline. One student will control the class and keep them quiet. When the rule is violated, he or she will have to find an appropriate measure.” She said.

“In this case it would be to punish the whole class if anyone talks.” she said.

“It works. It works for me. We’re teaching them success” she asserted.

“We have discretion. I try to teach those things that work for me.” She said.

“Our class in anger management had been a huge success.” She said.

“We’d pair off in couples and sort of have a mock argument. I’d watch how each dealt with it.” She said.

“This is character education so I can use my own resources and experience. I assume I’ve got character. All the guys at the bar call me that'” She said.

“They all say I’m a character!” She exclaimed.

“I had to take them aside. If you’re really angry, you can just stop talking to the other person. You should tell them, but sometimes it’s better not to say and let them discover. The highest level is when they realize that they can use their friends as partners. You know, the sort of, ‘none if us is gonna play with you again.’ Exclusion is very important.”

“Math is so hard to teach these kids. But we’ve learned that good character development can contribute to greater school success than studying math.” She said.

“We think they can get by with grit.” She said.

“I don’t really know but if they do they’ll be in the top of their class.” She said.

“Oh yes. Grit will get you by here.” She said.