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.

Ja’Shanna Graves

I would add 2 new courses for Middle\ High school students that are mandatory and requires hands-on training. While I bring one class back to school systems that I haven’t heard or seen in a long time. Read more>>

Aaryn Turner

Many of us were raised on the motto, “Go to school to get a good job”, however that could not be any further from the truth. I attended one of the top public universities in the country and took home $800 every two weeks after graduating. Read more>>

Reb Donohue

When considering how our education system can better equip students for their future endeavors, it’s important to recognize the inherent value in all academic disciplines, not just those traditionally deemed as “important” or “practical.” Read more>>

Jenny Aicher

As a former full-time educator, this question hits me deeply to my core. Buckle up for a heartfelt rant.. I was a public Montessori teacher for ten years, and continued part-time work in the profession for years beyond that. Read more>>

Charittey Scott

Growing up, I was always drawn to math. Problem-solving, finding different ways to find the right answer, and challenging myself to learn and do more. Read more>>

Alice Lee

Few things get professional artists as fired up as the ongoing discourse about art school — how valuable it is, how outdated, or if it’s even necessary to break into the industry. Read more>>

Sarah Holland

I think positive changes to the American education system would be to balance curriculums with more elective classes and relevant life skills. Read more>>