Left management consulting for teaching seventh-grade math in NYC.
Created quizzes, tests, and homework assignments.
Key Observations in Students' Performance
Noticed that IQ was not the sole factor in student performance.
Strong performers may not have high IQ scores.
Some high IQ students did not perform well.
Belief that all students can learn given enough effort and time.
Shift to Psychological Perspective in Education
Sought a deeper understanding of learning from motivational and psychological angles.
Traditional measurement in education focuses primarily on IQ.
Question posed: What else contributes to success in school and life?
Research on Predicting Success
Left the classroom for graduate school to study psychology.
Conducted studies in various challenging settings:
West Point Military Academy: Predicted cadet retention.
National Spelling Bee: Predicted advancement in competition.
Rookie Teachers in Tough Neighborhoods: Evaluated teacher retention and effectiveness.
Private Companies: Assessed salesperson job security and earnings potential.
Emergence of Grit as a Key Factor
Definition of Grit:
Passion and perseverance for long-term goals.
Stamina; commitment to future goals over years.
Grit differentiates successful individuals across various contexts, not social intelligence, looks, health, or IQ.
Study of Grit in Chicago Public Schools
Administered grit questionnaires to high school juniors.
Found that grittier students had a significantly higher graduation rate, even when accounting for various factors (e.g., family income, test scores, safety).
Limitations in Understanding Grit
Acknowledgment of the lack of scientific understanding on how to build grit.
Common questions from parents and teachers about fostering grit in students.
Research indicates that talent does not guarantee grit; talented individuals can lack follow-through.
Growth Mindset as a Strategy for Building Grit
Concept of Growth Mindset:
Developed by Carol Dweck at Stanford University.
Belief that learning ability can change with effort.
Research shows that teaching kids about brain growth encourages perseverance in the face of failure.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Emphasis on the need for further research to understand and develop grit.
Encourage testing ideas, measuring outcomes, and accepting failures in the process.
The goal is to cultivate grit in students through persistent effort and research.