Scenario #3: The Parents Are Watching

If you have been following our newsletter this fall, you know that L+D is offering future scenarios throughout the year and encouraging you, our readers, to use them with your boards, senior leadership teams, students, and faculty and staff to spark conversation, encourage collaborative problem solving, and build cognitive flexibility. A scenario is not an attempt to predict the future, but rather to offer a possible future. In addition, the scenarios are not meant to convey a point of view, a hope for the future, or a dystopian lens. These scenarios are written with a neutral perspective - or as neutral as possible. Finally, when we write scenarios, we are basing them on signals that we are seeing in the world around us. While signals provide an indication that something is occurring that could disrupt the status quo, the actual disruption itself is unclear. We are sharing only one possible outcome. In fact, if you explore the scenario below, you might consider creating a different outcome using the same signals. What else could happen?

We always share discussion questions for your teams. If you are a member of L+Doers Unite, you have access to the full scenario guide which will help you delve deeper into the topic and also offer additional activities. Please check our slack channel for the guide if you are a member. Or join today!

The following scenario was recently presented at the NWAIS Heads Trustees Conference as part of a three hour session on Thinking Like a Futurist. It was developed by Carla Silver, L+D Executive Director, and Joe Romano, Director of Innovation at Charles Wright Academy.

SIGNALS:

The following signals have inspired this month's scenario.

During the COVID online year, parents had access to their children’s daily class activities. Seeing what was happening in the classroom became normalized. Upon return to in-person learning, parents lost that oversight.We have seen an increase of parents wanting to be a part of choosing the curriculum taught in schools with families surfacing very public concerns over CRT/SEL/DEIB in the classroom. This has played out at the individual school level as well as in public school board meetings.In all industries there has become a normalization of monitoring systems for work - including remote work - through digital monitoring systems that track productivity and video cameras that track physical activity and presence. Even very high touch professions like hospice workers are being monitored through these systems.In response to highly publicized school shootings, parents are increasingly concerned about safety protocol in schools. With the increased use of security cameras in almost every aspect of life - from home security systems to neighborhood cameras. We are relatively unfazed by the many cameras that monitor our daily activities.Parents of young children have become used to video and photo updates from early childhood caretakers and daycare providers. Even our dog walkers use video and photos to let us know our animals are safe and happy. There is a normalization of this kind of regular communication.

THE SCENARIO:

November, 15, 2032. Vantage Academy. You’re tired of hearing about them. At parent coffees, admissions events, and even your brother-in-law who expressed interest. Since opening 8 years ago, Vantage has grown rapidly by leaning into their motto “veritas lux mea,’ offering to partner with their families by giving access to live streams of each child’s classroom.

Your school, Ponderosa Prep, has delighted families and distant relatives with access to livestream channels for special assemblies, homecoming activities, and student performances. The Virtual Reality effect helps them feel like they’re sitting right there in the audience enjoying the festivities and connecting with the community.

However, Vantage Academy’s competitive edge has become very apparent at this point in the semester, just after the first round of family conferences. Some Ponderosa Prep families expressed grave concerns about Ponderosa’s new 7th grade history curriculum: why is Ponderosa studying so closely the conflicts that pervaded 2029? And to grade students on the opinions they expressed in oral presentations? At a recent family coffee, one parent expressed interest in using Ponderosa’s livestream capabilities to observe and support their child, as they felt uncomfortable expressing opinions against the status quo. This caused several other prominent families present to nod appreciatively. One even said it aloud: “At Vantage…”

Ponderosa is approaching admissions season and the appeal of Vantage seems to be reaching a crescendo among your families. E tu, veritas lux mea?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND AND BONUS CHALLENGE

Consider bringing this challenge to your board meeting and allow them to wrestle in groups with the questions. Then offer the bonus challenge at the end. Role playing this is very fun as well as helpful.

Part I: Go through the scenario respond to the following questions:

How do you personally feel about this disruption? What would be the work of the board, the leadership team, and teachers in 2032? What kinds of conversations are you having? Are there policies that you are putting in place?What are the biggest challenges in managing this situation at your school? How does this scenario impact all of the constituencies in the school (students, parents, faculty and staff)?

Part II. It’s the week before Thanksgiving break and the Ponderosa Head of School and Strategic Planning Chair are presenting a short overview of the new strategic plan at a Parents’ Association meeting. At the very end of the presentation, you open the floor for questions and a parent raises their hand: “Yeah, I’m curious why this strategic plan has nothing in it about classroom cameras and monitoring systems? Parents at Vantage really have a pulse on what is going on everyday.”

Prepare the response (a.k.a. taking points) that your school has smartly developed to respond to this exact question.

Part III. For later reflection: What steps might you take today to drive towards a more preferred future?