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.

Briaca Duesette

If I could change one major thing in the education system, it would be to center creativity, curiosity, and tech-forward skills at the core—not just as electives or afterthoughts. We’re still pushing kids through a system that was built for the industrial age, when we’re in the middle of an AI-driven, content-creator-led, digital economy. That disconnect is hurting our kids. Read more>>

Julie Jones

If I could change one thing about the education system, it would be this: teach students how to succeed in life, not just how to pass a test. For over 15 years, I worked in classrooms and in school leadership. I saw firsthand that academic achievement didn’t always translate into career success. The students who thrived in the real world weren’t necessarily the ones with straight A’s, they were the ones with a positive attitude and image, as well as systems to organize their time and activities (what I now call the AIM Methodology). These students made eye contact, communicated with confidence, led by example, and understood the importance of showing up on time and giving their best, not just for a grade, but for the team. Read more>>

Sommer Caldwell-Carruthers

I would start by challenging the illusion that grades and test scores are the only indicators of success. They are not. They are subjective measures rooted in an outdated system built for compliance, not creativity. The way we measure intelligence and potential in schools does not reflect the reality of today’s world. We are still preparing students for a society that no longer exists, using strategies that ignore the pace of change and the tools available to us now. Read more>>