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.

Tey Saunders

Earlier this Fall I started my teaching career, facilitating graphic design and printing classes for high school students. Although there are so many things that are out of my control I’m constantly thinking of ways this could be different for them. The main thing I would change about the education system right now is emphasizing how many options they have in life. The school I teach at in particular falls under career and technical education. That means students can choose different pathways ranging from culinary skills, cosmetology, graphic design and printing, welding, and much more. Giving students an opportunity to engage in something that isn’t taught in traditional schools allows them to lean into making choices for themselves and not having to fulfill a role placed on them. Read more>>

Fanny Nordmark

When it comes to design school and education, I feel that putting emphasis on the real world work life challenges needs to be put into focus. I went to Hyper Island, which is an experimental trade school in Sweden, where I am originally from. My program centered design, development and project management, but the main focus was on how to work with other people effectively and respectfully. Design tools such as programs you use and techniques you employ to complete your work is constantly changing as technology advances, so focusing the majority of the education program on learning those tools will make your skills outdated fairly quickly. Instead focusing on softer, more human skills such as how to give and receive feedback, how to lead or be led in a team and how to solve problems by collaborating with others gives a better ground to build your career on Read more>>

Jaime Fleres

I have a lot of thoughts about the educational system, as someone who experienced public education in the 80s and 90s, as a former professor, and as the mother of a neurodivergent child. Our system has its roots in another time, when the goal was to educate for conformity and a class of people ready for a work force that no longer exists today as it did back then. Our educational system is also predominantly focused on the mental channel of knowing, with the emotional, imagery-based, and sensation-based channels of knowing less valued and less integrated into curriculum. Our system still largely encourages memorization of facts, learning things that may not have any relevance to their futures (e.g. calculus for an artist), and conformity to a particular set of values and ideas of what it means to be successful. In a world of increasingly rapid development of technology, we need young people who are fully grounded in their humanity and connected to the world around them through their own senses and relationships, not just a screen. Read more>>

Lindsey Blakely

To better prepare students for a fulfilling life and career, I would change the focus of education to include practical skills that are directly applicable to the real world. For example, teaching students how to freelance and run their own businesses is increasingly important as freelancing becomes more common. According to recent stats, about 36% of the U.S. workforce is freelancing, and that number is projected to grow. Yet, many students graduate without knowing the basics of taxes, business structures, or how to find clients. These are key skills that would help them navigate a rapidly changing job market. Read more>>

Kim Villegas

I believe the education system could better prepare students by eliminating the repetitiveness of unnecessary classes that aren’t relevant to their chosen majors. When I went to college for my bachelor’s in science, I had to repeat subjects like English, Math, and History, even though I had already completed them in high school—college preparatory, no less. It felt redundant and unproductive. Read more>>

Sachien Ravi

To better prepare students for a fulfilling life and career, the education system needs significant changes to bridge the gap between traditional schooling and real-world demands. One crucial improvement is focusing on lifelong skills such as personal finance, time management, and emotional intelligence. These skills are essential for personal and professional success but are often overlooked in favor of basic memorization. Additionally, schools should emphasize adaptability and critical thinking, equipping students to navigate a rapidly changing world. Read more>>