[Verse 1 Old school voice over mellow keys] Back in sixty five school was brief Four years average then back to the streets Industry rising made knowledge the key Cities needed minds for the new economy Young people needed more time in class States made laws as the old ways passed By nineteen fourteen most states made the rule Four out of five young people enrolled in school Facts form foundations brick by brick Memory muscle makes knowledge stick Read every page get the basics down You need solid roots when the world spins round [Chorus Smooth melodic vocals] Old school New school What should learning do Read it Know it Build it too Hands on Minds on Find what works for you Old school New school Make the future move [Verse 2 New school voice with brighter synths] One hundred high schools in eighteen sixty Twelve thousand by fourteen growth came quickly More public classrooms opened nationwide Still many teenagers never stepped inside Then John Dewey brought a different view Learning should live in the things that we do Less repeat after me more go create Turn a real problem to a lesson that stays Projects in groups put the mind in motion Hands on learning made ideas feel open Solve it together bring skills to the test School meets the world when the learning connects [Chorus Smooth melodic vocals] Old school New school What should learning do Read it Know it Build it too Hands on Minds on Find what works for you Old school New school Make the future move [Bridge Third voice over stripped piano] Progress looked bright but the picture had cracks Many teenage boys went to work and stayed back Most high school students were girls on the roll But unequal access took a heavier toll Across the South Black children got little or none Segregated schools blocked what could be done Education was called the key to success But a key means nothing if not shared with the rest [Verse 3 Both voices trading lines] Facts give a map Practice takes the trip Knowledge makes tools Experience gives grip Books bring the blueprint Hands build the floor Questions find windows Education opens doors Old school got roots New school got reach Maybe real learning needs both when we teach Know it then show it let curiosity rule The future keeps asking what should learning do [Final Chorus Beat opens with layered harmonies] Old school New school What should learning do Read it Know it Build it too Hands on Minds on Find what works for you Old school New school Make the future move Open books Open doors Equal chances something more Learn the facts Make them move That is what our minds can do [Outro School bell over fading synths] Old school New school Know it Do it Open every door And let the future through
