The image comparing the classroom layout in 1915 vs 2015 is misleading, but also silly. The US educational system has served a lot of people very well throughout those 100 years using exactly that setup. Such rhetorical strategies drive me nuts. Lots of things are different, but change for change's sake is never a good idea.
I like the 1915 layout. I also send my kids to a "traditional" school that emphasizes; writing, reading, and math(no common core). Teacher stands at the front of the class and teaches. The kids are required to memorize basic math facts, poems every two weeks, and give book reports since kindergarten. They are expected to recite the poems in front of the class in a loud, concise manner.<p>They are taught how to think critically with math/science work-sheets that force concentration on math/science in a way that, I think, actually applies to everyday life. There is very little technology in the classroom, also something my wife and I chose.<p>Rows of seats with windows all along the entire length of one side in every class room if the kids want to day dream/look at clouds a bit. They have homework from kindergarten and my kids get it done the second they come in the house (30-45min a day)... Only because they want to go ride their bikes, and play in the neighborhood :)
It is interesting with standing space for some of your work. I find that I can't stand and do certain types of work (I have a standing desk I use a lot). Writing which require assembling a lot of information into something coherent is really hard for me to do standing. I could imagine that maths would be the same, but I haven't tried it. If you then have a class room with only standing space, maybe that isn't great. But it could of course be the opposite, that standing works better.
> What’s happening at Betsy Layne and other Kentucky schools show what’s possible when <i>students are held to high standards</i> and good teachers have the opportunity to become great.<p>Key point above for me.<p>The worst schools in America tend to almost always not hold students to any standard, with all bad behaviors excused via certain political talking-points that deflect blame onto everyone else (everyone but the student and the parent).