Aspirational Values

The driver “Aspirational Values,” recognizes the importance of holding aspirational goals inside and outside the classroom. The “aspirational” nature of the goals are key actions and intentions of community members are rooted in a growth mindset. Perfection in these areas is never expected, but individual and community-level pursuit of improvement is expected. Moreover, these values-based goals must not exclusively live within the classroom, but also be present in all components of a school community. 

The notion of aspirational values normalizes occasional drifting away from guiding principles and making mistakes, but also ensures there is a consistent practice of returning to these values to maintain growth and alignment. For example, this driver becomes particularly pertinent in the instance of students making a mistake. Rather than focusing on the mistake or harm caused, aspirational values driver helps to redirect the focus back to values that we aspire to and plant our response in repair and a reorientation towards the values that may not have been aligned with the action of the student. 

Example: 

1. A school that incorporates a motto that is aspirational and values-driven. For example, a charter school in Oakland teaches students about their “G.O.L.D.” values, Growth, Optimism, Leadership and Learning, and Design Thinking. Students learn about the meaning of these core values of their school first during new student orientation, but their understanding and connection to these terms deepen as their time at the school continues. Weekly, two students per grade are provided awards in growth and excellence based on demonstrating these values through action. As a result, students are constantly provided models of what these values look like in practice through their own fellow students. Students also complete self-evaluations and reflections on these values within their advisory community, so they are constantly working on growing their alignment and connecting with these core values. 

Aspirational Values are…. 

1. Values embedded in the school community 

2. Flexible, living, subject to evolve with the natural changing of the school and it’s community 

3. Often embedded in the school’s integrated mission 

Aspirational Values are not…. 

1. Rules that need to be perfectly followed 

2. Static, permanent, absolute