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.

Jen Fitzgerald

I would love to see the educational system teach students a second language at a younger age. Other countries require students to start learning a second language well before they are double-digits in age, but it’s common in the US for students to start learning a second language when they are in their first year of high school. Sure, there are immersion programs where students learn different languages at younger ages, but those are far and few between. Read more>>

Omar Row

Schools should take an interdisciplinary approach, much like my balance between hair styling and vintage fashion. Rather than pushing students into narrow career paths, education should encourage exploration across diverse fields, fostering creativity and adaptability. Career counseling and mentorship programs could be reimagined to highlight unique opportunities for fulfillment—whether in creative industries, trades, or academic pursuits—helping students see the value of blending their passions. Read more>>

David Pruitt

Firstly, the cost of post-secondary education makes it unattractive or unattainable for many young people. Saddling an individual with six-figures of debt post graduation is also not ideal because it acts as a hinderance for home ownership and other needs a person has that involves credit, such as leasing a vehicle or acquisition financing for a business. Read more>>

Jessica Kim

I’ve been training permanent makeup artists for the past 10 years, and the more I teach, the clearer it becomes that focusing solely on technical skills, without including real-world business survival skills, almost guarantees failure for students. While training more students can increase short-term revenue for a trainer’s business, this approach is not sustainable for the long-term growth of the industry. What is the point of training students if they cannot effectively use their skills in the real world—either by securing a job or starting their own permanent makeup business? Read more>>

Emily Cho

I would change the education system by shifting the focus from memorization to practical learning that fosters critical thinking and adaptability. Additionally, I think it should be required for schools to teach teens the applications of knowledge, financial literacy, and interdisciplinary learning to better prepare students for their future lives. A major issue I’ve noticed is that students often leave high school, and some even college, without knowing how to manage their finances, navigate interpersonal relationships, or any knowledge on how to adapt to rapidly changing environments. Read more>>

Ranvir Patankar & Neel Vadher

While there has been a positive development in mandating financial literacy education, many individuals in the United States—and globally—continue to lack basic financial literacy skills. We believe this knowledge gap is due to the limited exposure to personal finance concepts during secondary education, disproportionately affecting communities of lower socioeconomic status. Read more>>

Cory Grimes

I think the first thing we need to do is stop forcing kids to feel like they have to go to college and if they don’t then they are failures. I think in High School they need to have more classes or outside programs that are more hands on in career fields that kids might be interested in. There is so much unnecessary things they teach that i feel waste a lot of time, meanwhile they could be teaching them skills they will actually use in many careers and the real world. I believe this because i went to college for Business, graduated and haven’t used my degree once so far to get any type of job. I ended up getting into photography/film while i was there because of my roommate opening my eyes up into a creative world i never knew about and the real life experiences i was doing outside of class. Read more>>

Cinndy Cruz Otanis Ramos

We believe there are other approaches to educating children, with the Montessori method being one that stands apart from the traditional educational system. The Montessori method is a scientific approach to education that emphasizes child-led, self-directed, and hands-on activities. It nurtures independence, leadership, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. Beyond academics, the Montessori method supports the holistic development of children, addressing their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Read more>>