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Fix the Past or Invent the Future: Moving beyond One-Size-Fits-All Education

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Title: Fix the Past or Invent the Future: Moving beyond One-Size-Fits-All Education
Language: English
Authors: Yong Zhao, ASCD
Source: ASCD. 2025.
Availability: ASCD. 1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714. Tel: 800-933-2723; Tel: 703-578-9600; Fax: 703-575-5400; Web site: http://www.ascd.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 115
Publication Date: 2025
Intended Audience: Teachers; Policymakers; Researchers
Document Type: Book
Reports - Evaluative
Descriptors: Access to Education, Educational Practices, Educational Change, Instructional Effectiveness, Educational Policy, Misconceptions, Probability, Individual Development, Social Emotional Learning, Intervention, Artificial Intelligence, Student Centered Learning, Individualized Instruction, House Plan, Educational Innovation, Problem Solving
ISBN: 978-1-4166-3411-9
Abstract: In "Fix the Past or Invent the Future," acclaimed education expert Yong Zhao exposes the deep flaws in the one-size-fits-all policies and practices that have dominated classrooms for decades and left countless students behind. Zhao takes on some of the most popular and seemingly scientific practices and beliefs in education and shows that no intervention, not even the most powerful, works for all students all the time. In Part I, "Fix the Past," he explains: (1) Why probability research does not help classrooms; (2) Why blindly applying the growth mindset can be misguided; (3) Why SEL does not solve students' social and emotional problems in school; (4) Why short-term wins in educational interventions can be long-term losses; and (5) Why AI does not help in the traditional classroom. But Zhao does not stop there. Arguing that incremental fixes to inherited practices will never be enough, he offers a bold, hopeful vision of what education could be in the age of AI: a personalized, flexible system that embraces individuality, fosters creativity, and prepares students to thrive in an ever-changing world. In Part II, "Invent the Future," Zhao explores: (1) How true personalization must be done by students instead of for students; (2) How to help students find and solve problems; (3) How human interdependence is the foundation of global competence; (4) How educators can approach educational transformation with the school-within-a-school model; and (5) How to move forward from where we are today. Filled with innovative suggestions and thought-provoking insights, this book is a must-read for educators, policymakers, and researchers committed to transforming the school experience for each and every student.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Access URL: https://www.ascd.org/books/fix-the-past-or-invent-the-future?variant=125065
Accession Number: ED677991
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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PubType: Book
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  Data: Fix the Past or Invent the Future: Moving beyond One-Size-Fits-All Education
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yong+Zhao%22">Yong Zhao</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22ASCD%22">ASCD</searchLink>
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  Data: ASCD. 1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714. Tel: 800-933-2723; Tel: 703-578-9600; Fax: 703-575-5400; Web site: http://www.ascd.org
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  Data: In "Fix the Past or Invent the Future," acclaimed education expert Yong Zhao exposes the deep flaws in the one-size-fits-all policies and practices that have dominated classrooms for decades and left countless students behind. Zhao takes on some of the most popular and seemingly scientific practices and beliefs in education and shows that no intervention, not even the most powerful, works for all students all the time. In Part I, "Fix the Past," he explains: (1) Why probability research does not help classrooms; (2) Why blindly applying the growth mindset can be misguided; (3) Why SEL does not solve students' social and emotional problems in school; (4) Why short-term wins in educational interventions can be long-term losses; and (5) Why AI does not help in the traditional classroom. But Zhao does not stop there. Arguing that incremental fixes to inherited practices will never be enough, he offers a bold, hopeful vision of what education could be in the age of AI: a personalized, flexible system that embraces individuality, fosters creativity, and prepares students to thrive in an ever-changing world. In Part II, "Invent the Future," Zhao explores: (1) How true personalization must be done by students instead of for students; (2) How to help students find and solve problems; (3) How human interdependence is the foundation of global competence; (4) How educators can approach educational transformation with the school-within-a-school model; and (5) How to move forward from where we are today. Filled with innovative suggestions and thought-provoking insights, this book is a must-read for educators, policymakers, and researchers committed to transforming the school experience for each and every student.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 115
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Access to Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Practices
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Change
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Misconceptions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Probability
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      – SubjectFull: Individual Development
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      – SubjectFull: Social Emotional Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Intervention
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      – SubjectFull: Artificial Intelligence
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      – SubjectFull: Student Centered Learning
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      – SubjectFull: House Plan
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Innovation
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      – SubjectFull: Problem Solving
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Fix the Past or Invent the Future: Moving beyond One-Size-Fits-All Education
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