Over the last century, the American classroom has remained largely unchanged. Yet, chronic absenteeism and declining test scores signal that the status quo is not meeting the needs of all learners. Joel Rose, Co-Founder and CEO of New Classrooms, is at the forefront of efforts to reimagine the traditional school model so that every student’s unique needs are met. In an interview with 5 Questions, Joel explains why there should be more personalized learning, especially in math, and how New Classrooms is working to redesign the education system to serve all kids.
What is New Classrooms and what should people know about it?
New Classrooms is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the limitations of the traditional education model, which often fails to meet each student’s unique needs, particularly in mathematics. Historically, educators have used grade-specific math curricula that don’t account for each student’s individual skill level or progress. This one-size-fits-all approach overlooks the importance of mastering foundational skills; math is cumulative in nature with predecessor skills in prior years critical to meeting—and achieving—grade-level proficiency. New Classrooms develops solutions to meet this need in schools. Teach to One Roadmaps is our latest innovative learning solution to enable personalized, competency-based instruction. New Classrooms is also actively involved in policy and advocacy work to shift the education landscape to modernize our nation’s approach to schooling.
New Classrooms has advocated for a DARPA-inspired National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE). Why is NCADE needed?
The fundamental lack of research and development (R&D) in K-12 and the century-old model of schooling has reinforced the need for innovative models in education. Compared to government funding for defense, health, and energy, education represents a mere fraction of Federal R&D Funding. We have seen success in creating and implementing innovative learning models in school communities and believe that increased public investment in education research and development is essential. With the National Center for Advanced Development in Education, our federal government can promote systemic policy change to address and challenge how traditional classrooms are organized.
The fundamental lack of R&D in K-12 and the century-old model of schooling has reinforced the need for innovative models in education.
What's been the biggest surprise for you so far in New Classrooms’ education R&D advocacy?
Key stakeholders across the system, from families to teachers, school leaders to district leaders, and advocates, all recognize and are ready for more fundamental change. When the current model and its limitations are contextualized, the importance of innovating new ones is clear. We are encouraged by the way these leaders respond when they reflect on the issues we raise and the actions they inspire. Recent state and national bills highlight the growing demand for personalized, competency-based learning. Moreover, parents recognize how the current education system is failing their children—not due to any shortcomings of educators, but because of the system’s design. Both parents and students understand that the status quo is not the only option.
Where do you see New Classrooms and its role in the education R&D ecosystem in five years? How will AI factor in?
In five years, New Classrooms hopes to be one of several organizations working to modernize the student experience. There is so much R&D to be done across education and many organizations can play a key role in accomplishing the work to fully redesign the system. Driving impact by these organizations, and ours, should use thoughtful design, research, and whatever technology tools (including AI) are at our disposal now and in the future. Our tool Teach to One Roadmaps currently uses AI to boost student engagement by addressing a common question, “When will I use this?” but there is so much more that AI can do, both with our tool as well as for the sector more broadly.
What else should people know?
Math achievement is possible, but only when every student has a clear and transparent path that meets them where they are and builds a bridge to get them to where they need to be. The current school model is not enshrined in the laws of physics. It’s all man-made, and therefore nothing prevents the nation from developing new models that work better for everyone. We are advancing our mission through our math tool, ongoing education research, and development, and advocating for adopting innovative learning models to replace traditional textbooks in schools.
The current school model is not enshrined in the laws of physics. It's all man-made, and therefore nothing prevents the nation from developing new models that work better for everyone.
