Our children are our future. Education is at the heart at developing their skills and abilities and yet year after year we hear about the degrading state of our educational system. Our nation has spent trillions of dollars on failed programs that research and experts had promised would work. Achievement gaps persist, performance declines are accelerating and so it is of paramount importance that we explore novel ideas and solutions. You might not agree with many or any of the ideas below, and we certainly are not endorsing policies – our hope is just to create a space where bright, dedicated folks from the community can share their ideas – so that we can all come together and better understand each others experiences, concerns and how we might move forward together to build a brighter future.
Casandra Inez
The public education system was created to prepare people to work. It’s not meant to prepare students for a fulfilling life and I wish I realized that sooner. You have to find other ways to nurture your curiosity, creativity, and passions.
I was determined to graduate high school and college with a degree, convinced it was the recipe for a great life. But that just leads to an occupation, a job. And sure, you can love your job, but there is so much more to life than what you do for money. Read more>>
Steliana Van De Rijt-Economu
The current US education system is focused on developing individualism and perfectionism through testing. I believe the new generation needs social and collaborative skills. That’s why in my book Parentship, I emphasis the idea of shared leadership in families and teams. This approach is meant to help both parents and children thrive. Read more>>
Bryson
Our current education system unintentionally trains students to fear failure. From an early age, we’re taught to avoid mistakes at all costs — every red mark, every incorrect answer, every dropped grade sends the message that perfection is the goal. Anything less feels like falling short. But in startups and entrepreneurship, that mindset is completely backward. Failure is how you learn. Trial and error is the entire game. Read more>>
JUSTINA KANZA
If I could change one fundamental aspect of the education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career, it would be to explicitly recognize, value, and cultivate the diverse forms of capital that students from all backgrounds, especially students of colour, bring to the table. Read more>>
Louie Contino
Our current educational system reminds me of an assembly line. We a products packs onto a conveyor belt, grouped by our expiration dates, and carried on a track and once you get to the end they slap a label on you and ship you out to the world. But what about the people who don’t fit on that track or don’t agree with that label? Read more>>
Shaun Taylor
If I could change one aspect of the education system to better prepare students for fulfilling lives and careers, it would be to integrate comprehensive, culturally responsive pedagogy and anti-racism training at every level of the curriculum and teacher development. This isn’t just about adding a diversity module; it’s about fundamentally shifting the lens through which we teach and learn, acknowledging systemic inequalities, and equipping students with the critical thinking skills to navigate a diverse and often unjust world. This includes actively addressing issues of racism, disparity, and bias in curriculum, teaching methods, and school policies. Read more>>
Lance Bennett
If I could change one thing about the education system, I would place a much stronger emphasis on character formation alongside the development of 21st-century workforce skills. While academic achievement and technical competencies are important, they are not sufficient for building a fulfilling life or a sustainable, meaningful career. Education should help us become better people—not just better workers—and I believe that happens best in the context of community. Read more>>