The Fairness Principle

Several of us have been reading John Rawls and his Theory of Justice which has intrigued us as we've thought about our work in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In this work we regularly talk about how we can do a better job of supporting each person in our community and Rawls causes us to think more deeply on this issue.

In his book, Rawls asks us to consider how we might redesign a community or society from scratch and asks us to reflect on several questions:

• How would you distribute wealth and power?
• How would you make everyone equal, or not?
• How would you define fairness and equality?

He then challenges us with one final question: What if you had to make those decisions without knowing who you would be in this new society?

He offers a process whereby decision makers could only make laws and rules from behind the Veil of Ignorance in which they would not know who they would be in this perfect society. His theory is that the rule makers would not know their natural abilities, their sex, race, nationality or individual tastes and, as a result, would create a more equitable society. He posits that in this new society everyone would have the best possible life.

As an illustration, consider a rule that some classroom teachers and families have regarding the sharing of the last cookie or last slice of pizza. The rule is: You can choose to split the last one into pieces or you can be the first to choose which piece you would like. This rule has created fairness in our house on many an occasion!

One of the questions I frequently ponder at GDS as we consider a rule or policy is, "If I did not know if this would affect me or not, would I support it?" This question allows me to mentally walk around the table and consider many different points of view before making a decision.

Although I doubt that Rawls believes that it's possible to create such a perfect society, his thoughts do tickle my thinking and make me think twice about the decisions I make and how they might affect each person or family in our community.

Social Emotional Learning at Greensboro Day School

Intelligence plus character,

That is the goal of a true education.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Greensboro Day School has focused on building and sustaining relationships since its founding in 1970. The school motto outlines friendship, scholarship and sportsmanship as essential qualities of a GDS education. These qualities were foundational in the establishment of our Honor Code in the middle and upper schools, as well as the Four Respects that guide our relationships in the lower school. It is not unusual for our students on or off campus to be commended for their respectfulness and honesty – sure signs of students developing character.

Today, we continue our tradition of building strong character in our students through a focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Helping our students develop five basic skills is at the heart of our work: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making. 

In one review of more than 300 SEL programs, researchers found that this approach  fosters “positive effects on students’ social-emotional skills; attitudes towards self, school, and others; social behaviors; conduct problems; emotional distress and academic performance.”

The goal of our focus on social and emotional learning is twofold. We believe that students who feel safe and comfortable are more likely not to bully other students and learn how to work collaboratively with those who have different backgrounds and ideas. We also believe that students who can develop respectful, positive relationships with adults and teachers are better able to be engaged and retain the learning that goes on in school every day.

It would be a misinterpretation of our SEL work to believe that it is only focused on  getting along with other students. The research is powerful in pointing out that students who develop positive social relationships are significantly more likely to excel in their academic studies.

Pat Basset, a past president of the National Association of Independent Schools, spoke at GDS several years ago and stressed what our school has always believed. “The leading purpose of independent schools is to provide the world with good and smart people,” said Basset. I agree! And, I have the pleasure of seeing “good and smart” students walking hand-in-hand down the hallways of our school each and every day.

I believe that each of us wants what Martin Luther King wanted for the children of our country – “intelligence plus character.” It doesn’t just happen. It takes commitment and teachers, parents and students working together. If you want proof that GDS produces such students, I would ask that you simply walk our hallways, talk with our students and read the biographies of our graduates posted in each division. You will discover both current and past students who believe in our mission and who are “constructive contributors to the world.”