Traditional educational institutions are facing a crisis due in part to a fundamental disconnect between students' needs and the structure of the system designed to serve them. Rather than infrastructure or funding, which is often overlooked by casual observers, it is essential to be able to balance each individual student's needs with the needs of the collective.
The historic imbalance stems from the widespread standardization of education, a one-size-fits-all approach that disregards the diverse needs, abilities, and interests of students. From kindergarten to university, requiring them to conform to predetermined standards, this approach to education can have significant negative effects on students who learn differently. For some students, this leads to disengagement, frustration, and disconnection from the learning process. The emphasis on standardized testing further exacerbates these issues, reducing education to quantifiable metrics and rote memorization exercises.
One of the shortcomings of the traditional education system is that students who do not fit neatly into the mold of traditional schooling may find themselves falling behind academically and socially, with limited access to the resources and support they need to succeed. Social dynamics in schools often perpetuate inequalities and power imbalances, creating challenging environments for certain student populations. Bullying, discrimination, and social exclusion leave vulnerable students feeling marginalized and isolated, with the potential for lifelong implications.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these existing issues. As schools struggled to adapt to remote learning and students struggled with the challenges of isolation and disconnection, it became increasingly clear that the status quo was no longer tenable.
Aviva Moore, career educator and founder of Hall Pass Learning Solutions, has spent her career navigating the complexities of the education sector. With each passing year, her disillusionment with the institutionalized model deepens. "The more education and experience I've gained, the less I believe in a one-size-fits-all institution." She laments, "Education is seemingly the only mandated social service, yet without their basic human needs such as food, clothing, and housing met, it is an unreasonable expectation for students to perform their best in school." Aviva's sentiment resonates with a growing chorus of students, educators, and parents who recognize the inherent flaws in the current educational paradigm.
This visionary condemns the rigid structure of traditional schooling, arguing that it can stifle creativity and fails to meet the diverse needs of learners. "It is difficult to have a personal or customized approach to learning within the confines of the current system," she asserts. Indeed, the cookie-cutter approach to education leaves many students underserved, their unique talents and interests overlooked in favor of standardized metrics and curricula.
Aviva sees this as a pivotal moment for change, a chance to challenge the status quo and reimagine education from the ground up. "People are moving away from institutionalized education, but not from learning; now is the time for us to make changes," she notes. It is this fundamental distinction that drives Aviva's vision for Hall Pass Learning.
Founded in response to the urgent need for personalized, human-centered education, Hall Pass Learning seeks to unify grassroots efforts and catalyze a broader socio-political discussion on the future of education. At its core, the company is a testament to Aviva's belief in the power of learning to transform lives and communities. "If we keep the students at the center of everything else, I believe it'll fall together," she reflects.
Through Hall Pass Learning, Aviva aims to create a platform for collaboration and innovation, bringing together families, tutors, and organizations to address the shortcomings of the current education system collectively. Her call to action is clear: it is time to prioritize learning over education, embrace diversity and individuality, and create a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape for all. The founder reiterates, "I think that whenever you have an institution of any kind, you have to balance the operations of an institution toward the needs of the individual."
Apart from educational awareness, Aviva heavily supports Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) treatment and has launched a project for the same. Her goal with this project is to connect with survivors, thrivers, caregivers, and providers from any time in the past 30 years. She shares, "The initial goal is a better understanding of how the medicine and treatment options are improving women's lives. This in itself is a success. Beyond that, my intention is to publish a mixed methods account of TNBC over the past several decades."
As Aviva Moore and her Hall Pass Learning Solutions team continue to advocate for change, they invite stakeholders from all corners of the education sector to join them in this critical conversation. "Reach out," she urges. Meaningful change cannot occur in isolation. It requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders within the education ecosystem, from policymakers and administrators to teachers, parents, communities, and especially students themselves. It requires a willingness to challenge long-held assumptions and entrenched systems and to embrace new approaches and methodologies that prioritize the needs of learners above all else.
