Opinion: help student flex their metacognitive muscles instead of spoon feeding

Witnessing students’ eyes light up when they understand a new concept or finally grasp one they’ve been struggling with is what we, as educators, strive for every day. But analysis of national and international testing programs tells us those “a-ha” moments are simply not happening enough. Achievement is slipping and learning gaps are widening. In classrooms today, whether it be in my home state of Virginia, in the United States, or here in the suburbs of Australia, teachers, parents, politicians and the community understand that educational change is needed.