Above the standard - intrinsic motivation.

Currently in New Zealand the National Government is encouraging schools to run more like businesses. They have introduced standard tests and they rate schools according to 'best standard performance'. These standards supposedly hold schools and teachers accountable for the work they achieve. The National Stardard tests and ratings supposedly show families which schools are the best schools.

The push to conform to standards is a rising tide that is drowning teacher's passions and squashing student's intrinsic motivation. Learning to a formula and rewarded with 'carrots' and gold stars will only create robots.

I think the National Government and 'Big' Business has it wrong.

What if the current business model (in big business and now in schools) strips people of their intrinsic motivation, and productivity decreases to a standard level? Dan Pink's TED talk makes a case against the standard business model.

What if the model changed to something more in tune with people's intrinsic motivation and passions - because we can't go on doing the same standard things for 'carrots' and gold stars.

So what are your children learning in school?
Why are your children learning the things they are learn in school? Is it enough?
Who is their motivator?

What is motivating them to learn more and rise above the standard?