Update, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this story did not include the final three paragraphs. Those paragraphs have now been included.
During a community meeting on the evening of Dec. 9, a trio of top leaders from Lab and the University of Chicago discussed findings of the recent review, outlined areas of future change that include neutral teaching and aligning Lab with the university’s mission and values, and answered questions from parents that at times grew contentious.
The panel, which consisted of University of Chicago president Paul Alivisatos, interim Director of the Laboratory Schools Ethan Bueno de Mesquita and chair of Lab’s Board of Directors Jason Tyler, covered issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion; academics; the implications of UChicago’s policy of institutional neutrality; governance and leadership; and the university’s relationship with Lab.
President Alivisatos underscored that the Laboratory Schools are an integral part of the university’s academic community and that it will be beneficial to both the university and Lab if their priorities are better aligned.
“Lab School and the university grew up together,” President Alivisatos said. “I think we grow best when we have the best relationship we can. We do our best when we achieve alignment of our values and our philosophies.”
As for what the university’s policy of institutional neutrality means for Lab, President Alivisatos emphasized the difference between an institution taking a position and a community fostering a variety of viewpoints, stating that the former stifles discussion.
Noting that his role is temporary, Dr. Bueno de Mesquita outlined his objective: strengthening existing connections between the university and Lab to establish a stable environment in which a permanent director can implement long-term changes.
Dr. Bueno de Mesquita also said that students should be getting the same learning experience and information, no matter what teacher they have. He acknowledges that while departments have already made some headway toward regulating course-wide and department-wide end-of-year goals, there is still more work to be done.
One particularly contentious topic centered around the issue of the role of identity in education. Multiple parents expressed confusion and concern about the seeming ban on ideological expressions in the classroom. Dr. Bueno de Mesquita referenced the report’s findings to attempt to clarify his administration’s position.
“There is a substantial amount of politics in the classroom,” he said. “There is a substantial amount of asking kids, including young kids, to take a side on what I think are plainly political issues, and I think that’s inconsistent with the values of the University of Chicago.”
Kristopher Nance, a Lab alumnus and parent of an early childhood student, said that the meeting left him with more questions than answers.
“We had a discussion around the differences between a research institution and one that supports child development, and can those mission values be aligned.” Mr. Nance said. “So until we answer those questions, this will continue to be a contentious issue when it really should not be.”
