Harkness program to receive national award
February 4, 2023 | By Lisa ScagliottiThe Harwood Unified Union School District received word this week that the Harwood Harkness Initiative has earned an award from the National School Boards Association.
Students and community members discuss forgiveness at a Socrates Cafe in December that uses the Harkness method of dialogue. Photo courtesy Kathy Cadwell
The program will be honored with a silver 2023 Magna Award as part of the national organization’s annual effort to recognize exemplary school district programs across the U.S. The 2023 awards program focused on innovation in education with honors going to school district programs that solve a challenge with creativity and out-of-the-box strategies. The Magna Award-winning districts will be featured in the April issue of the American School Board Journal and will be recognized at an annual conference in April held in Orlando, Florida.
Former longtime Harwood history teacher Katherine Cadwell began the Harwood Harkness program in 2016 with a $100,000 grant from the Rowland Foundation. With a core group of dedicated teachers and students moving through the program each year, Harkness has become a hallmark approach for learning and inquiry that has woven the pedagogy of student-driven inquiry into classroom culture and practice at the school.
“The skills of questioning, valuing different perspectives and learning how to disagree respectively and work collaboratively are the essential skills our students need to acquire if our democracy is to remain healthy, vital and strong,” Cadwell said. “Now, more than ever, we need to teach students how to use their voice in the classroom and in our greater world.”
Harwood faculty members Kate Stauss and Adam Sargent lead the program today.
A way to develop and use intentional civil discourse, Harkness relies on student voice; it encourages a diversity of perspectives and by nature values equity and inclusion in classroom culture.
Superintendent Mike Leichliter, who started in his position last July, said the Harkness program and philosophy that relies on student input and leadership was a key reason he was attracted to the school district. The national recognition of the program is particularly gratifying, he said. “Our community can be proud of our incredible students and teachers!”