Want a Better School? Invest in the People

This Harvard EdCast interview explores how social relationships within schools significantly impact educational reform efforts, more so than policies alone. The interviewee, Ebony Bridwell-Mitchell, explains the nested nature of these relationships (student-student, classroom-classroom, school-system, etc.) and how their patterns and content (positive or negative interactions) influence school success. She highlights the "Strength of Weak Ties" concept, arguing that diverse, less cohesive networks foster innovation, while highly connected groups can hinder the introduction of new ideas. Practical strategies discussed include mapping existing relationships, connecting isolated groups through shared tasks, and fostering deeper connections based on shared values rather than surface-level similarities. The podcast concludes by emphasizing the long-term benefits of investing in relationship-building, despite the pressure for immediate results often faced by policymakers.