BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM At CART High near Fresno, there are no bells, no fights, and no hallways echoing with chaos. Instead, students carry laptops through bright, spacious corridors on their way to classes in biotechnology, forensics, and digital marketing. It looks and feels nothing like a traditional public high school, and that’s precisely the point. CART, short for Center for Advanced Research and Technology, could represent the future of education in California. As Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the State Board of Education, put it: “The big, old-fashioned factory model of high school—where students run from class to class with a locker as their only stable point of contact—is not succeeding. We need to overhaul the whole idea of what high school can be.” Now, a new statewide pilot program from the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence aims to do just that. Backed by $10 million in state funding, the initiative invites districts to redesign high school and middle school learning, focusing on flexibility, real-world experience, and stronger connections between students, teachers, and communities. A century-old system ready for change Public high schools, as we know them, are barely a century old. Born from early 20th-century industrial ideals, they were designed around efficiency. As many of us know, this resulted in standardized classes, 50-minute periods, and a rigid unit system known as the Carnegie unit. But modern research in adolescent development shows teenagers learn best through autonomy, hands-on projects, and collaboration. “It should be a joy to go to school every day,” Darling-Hammond said. And at CART, it seems to be. Students don’t memorize facts for tests; they immerse themselves in topics that matter to them. Instead of racing through fragmented classes, they spend three hours per day in interdisciplinary “labs” where English, science, and art intersect. This shift is already producing results. Attendance hovers near 100 percent, discipline issues are rare, and over 90 percent of students score proficient in English. Principal Rick Watson says educators from around the world visit to study CART’s model. “Comprehensive high schools don’t work for some B, C, D students,” he explained. “The students have potential, but they’re disconnected. They’re desperate for a different model of education.” Teaching that sparks curiosity At CART, the focus is on engagement and deep, not rote, learning. English teacher Emily Saeteurn explains: “We work really hard to get kids to see the bigger picture of why they’re learning what they’re learning. We want them to have that ‘aha!’ moment.” Biotechnology students read The Andromeda Strain and The Martian before writing their own science fiction stories based on real genetic concepts. In law and policy, teens read Othello and Hamlet before staging mock trials of Shakespearean characters. The approach makes academics tangible and relevant. Senior Madelyn Quiroga says she struggled at her traditional high school but thrives at CART. “At my other school, they just throw stuff at you and never really explain it. Here, they actually teach us, and it’s all stuff we actually want to know,” she said. “Like when I hear someone talk about CRISPR, it’s like, ‘Oh, I know something about that.’” Her classmate Audrey Riede, studying law, says she now hopes to become a defense attorney. “CART is way better than normal school,” she said. “The teachers aren’t just trying to get you to pass; they really want to make you think.” Challenges ahead for reform The state faces major hurdles in expanding CART’s success. Colleges still rely on the A-G course requirements and traditional letter grades for admissions, leaving little flexibility for innovative coursework. The Carnegie unit, which ties credits to time spent in class rather than mastery, remains deeply embedded in both high school and university systems. Even the Carnegie Foundation has urged reforms, advocating for progress-based measures over time-based ones. But as of now, most higher education institutions remain reluctant to change. Still, advocates like Russlynn Ali, head of the XQ Institute and former U.S. Department of Education official, believe the momentum is shifting. “There are young people today who’ve graduated from high school but can’t calculate the tip on a split bill or grasp the main idea in an op-ed piece,” she said. “The case for change is unmistakable.” A model of possibility CART’s success story began 25 years ago as a partnership between Clovis Unified and Fresno Unified, designed to help struggling students connect learning to real careers. Today, it serves 1,000 juniors and seniors each year, nearly 80 percent from low-income families. The school’s popularity continues to grow. Last year, more than twice as many students applied as there were spots available. As California prepares to announce the winning redesign proposals, CART’s bright yellow halls stand as a living example of what education could be: a place where learning feels relevant, curiosity thrives, and every student, from the A student to the “C kid”, finds a reason to show up.The post California reimagines high school: how one innovative campus is shaping the future of learning first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Native American Heritage Month begins in November, a month when many Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. While this cultural month has excellent intentions, it is significantly more complicated for Native Americans. Thanksgiving is a difficult period for many Native Americans because of the numerous massacres that occurred around this time. In fact, many holidays are now a harsh reminder of a violent past that is frequently forgotten, glossed over, or idealized. For many Native Americans, the festivities this season signify the genocide of millions of Native Americans, the theft of Native American lands, forced relocations, and several attempts to eradicate Native American culture. At the same time, Native American Heritage Month aims to celebrate Indigenous peoples and honor the history of Native Americans across the country. A designated month allows us to reflect on our shared past while also honoring the resiliency and strength of Indigenous people across North America. It provides an opportunity to educate Americans about Indigenous contributions and gives Indigenous people a platform. While the intentions behind this heritage month are good, it often has unexpected consequences, repercussions, and microaggressions that are painful for some Native Americans. Here are some of the reasons why Native American Heritage Month is a complicated celebration that should be embraced with greater care. The myth of Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Day reminds many Native Americans of the genocide of their people, the theft of their lands, and suffering cultural eradication. Historical documents and testimonies more correctly describe the first Thanksgiving, which was celebrated in 1621; Native Americans were not invited and the events that followed were hostile and deadly. After the US was formed, the story of Pilgrims and Native Americans meeting peacefully was developed to support westward expansion and Manifest Destiny. This is just one of the numerous historical misconceptions that make this month so difficult. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of Native American assimilation, forced relocation, and genocide after the European invasion. The National Day of Mourning Native Americans have observed the National Day of Mourning instead of Thanksgiving since 1970. This day honors Native ancestors and gives space to mourn the massacres that took place. It’s also a protest against the racism and injustice Native Americans suffer today. Much of what schools teach about November’s historic events is erroneous or oversimplified. Not long ago it was not uncommon for many students to make paper headdresses and reenact Thanksgiving supper. Native Americans were sometimes presented in classrooms as disappeared people who are no longer around. Activities like this taught generations of students the misconception that all Native Americans are the same, making it hard for them to understand the unique diversity among the Tribal Nations. This promotes cultural appropriation, and the heritage month curriculum can sometimes perpetuate stereotypes. Actionable steps and activities to incorporate into Thanksgiving this year Passively accepting Native Americans and Indigenous peoples isn’t enough to be an ally this month. Non-Natives must decolonize alongside Natives to become allies. Here are some family traditions to add this year. Learn about the Native American Nations and Tribes in your area This month, allies may help Native Americans by “doing the work” on their own to learn about Native American history and culture. Using the Native Land app or website to learn whose land you are on is a great start. Although these maps are not perfect, the website is a useful resource for appreciating and learning more about your city, state, or country’s Native past. Simply enter the name of your place to discover about the languages, treaties, and history of the land you’re on. Even though it does not display the current tribal nation boundaries, you can use this information to learn more about the almost 600 federally recognized tribes in the United States. Celebrate and recognize Indigenous existence all year round Some Native Americans refuse to celebrate Thanksgiving, while others continue to do so as a tradition of showing gratitude. For non-Natives, it is possible to express gratitude throughout this season in a way that does not overlook the hardship or presence of Native people. While it is a great idea to have a month that pays special attention to Indigenous people, true allies will try to celebrate Native American history and cultures all year. Year-round learning includes celebrating Indigenous art and fashion, watching Native American media, reading books by Indigenous authors, supporting grassroots Native-led organizations and companies, and learning about their history and the realities of their lives today. Incorporate Indigenous foods into your Thanksgiving traditions In honor of Native American Heritage Month, consider celebrating Thanksgiving with Indigenous foods such as corn, beans, pumpkins, and wild rice. It’s an opportunity for folks who are unfamiliar with Native cultures to learn about Indigenous meals, recipes, and culinary skills while enjoying Native ingredients. This is also an excellent moment to review the distinction between appropriation and appreciation of cultures, as well as to ensure that you are not appropriating traditions in your preparations.The post Native American Heritage Month and how to be an ally this Thanksgiving first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'This was a political thing'

A plane on a hurricane relief mission crashed Monday

Ezra Klein: Democrats Should Have Kept the Shutdown Going

Fifty Years Ago Today, the Witch of November Came Stealing

The California governor’s diplomatic cosplay on the global stage is the real threat to American national security.

Harvard Hoards Billions but Threatens to Halt Breast Cancer Cure After Trump Admin Funding Cuts