I read and reposted the article by Steve Tappin, MBA Trap: Campaign To Replace MBAs. In his recent post he talks about how the MBA promises much, but in 95% of cases doesn’t leave you a master of leadership. It’s more of a foundational business degree, and not worth all the hype and prestige. The 5% of cases where the MBA is currently worth doing? Where you have an offer from a Top 10 Business School and are looking for a corporate, consulting or banking career.
He goes on to talk about how to actually overhaul the system, replace the testing and teachers with more real world leaders and ex business men and women who have actual experience rather than academic acumen.
Fundamentally I totally agree with him on all levels. What's more is that I think that there is a value shift and change in how parents are starting to view the value of their children's education and what they want them to achieve - and it's not just an MBA from Harvard.
A school near my home in Chelsea, Avenues: The World School, seems to be promising just that. In their mission statement they promise to GRADUATE STUDENTS who are accomplished in the academic skills one would expect; at ease beyond their borders; truly fluent in a second language; good writers and speakers one and all; confident because they excel in a particular passion; artists no matter their field; practical in the ways of the world; emotionally unafraid and physically fit; humble about their gifts and generous of spirit; trustworthy; aware that their behavior makes a difference in our ecosystem; great leaders when they can be, good followers when they should be; on their way to well-chosen higher education; and, most importantly, architects of lives that transcend the ordinary.
In fact in terms of fluent second language this Fall semester they only have limited openings for their kindergarten classes to take Chinese! Talk about thinking ahead of the curve.
They also commit to PROVIDING THEIR FACULTY and staff members a special place to pursue the science and art of teaching. We want to align the rewards of teaching more closely with the value it brings to society, provide teachers opportunities to deepen their skills and be a place where careers, in and out of the classroom, can flourish.
After reading the Mission Statement frankly I wanted to join up and if I did have children this would be a place that I'd consider, despite the cost which must be very high based on the town cars, drivers and two paparazzi hanging around.
What I found interesting is that both the article by Steve Tappin and the Avenues school talked about value. Value for the money of education and value for the students and society as a whole. I don't think that the kids that graduate from Avenues will pursue an MBA at Harvard but then they may be more effective in global policy, micro finance, health & wellness, the arts & education or green energy - all of which will be as or more valuable than an MBA of any kind.
Value and education - are we changing our tune about what is important and of value?? How do you feel?
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