Getting Smart

What a great first day at the New Pathways to Real World Learning convening in Kansas City. Together, we celebrated and centered the “why” of this work—the students— with a set of student exhibits. These ranged from internships in the beauty industry to working with the city council to establish new lines of scholarship. Then we gathered in the main auditorium for the opening plenary and session where we welcomed the attendees, alongside the Oracle Health Foundation, American Student Assistance and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Here, Judy Goldstein of ASA stated: “While over 80% of high school students say they want work-based learning experiences, only 2% have actually completed one.” This is a rallying cry for what's to come over the next few days. Additionally, Bill Nicely reminded us about the transformative power of seeing agentic learners in action: “They just run the show, and it’s a beautiful thing” A huge thank you to both Dr. Frank Harwood, Deputy Commissioner of the Kansas Department of Education and Karla Eslinger, Missouri Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, for helping us kick this convening off right! #NewPathways #RealWorldLearningKC #RealWorldLearning #WorkBasedLearning

In a world flooded with AI-generated content and misinformation, critical thinking has become an essential skill. In a new Getting Smart Blog, David Ross explores how educators can help students navigate this complex landscape by teaching them to question, analyze, and evaluate the information they encounter. Drawing on frameworks like P21 and resources from Common Sense Media, he discusses effective strategies—such as project-based learning—that equip learners with the tools to assess credibility, distinguish fact from fiction, and make informed decisions. Discover practical ways to incorporate critical thinking into your classroom and empower students to confidently ask, “Is this real?” https://lnkd.in/gQKpAQ8k #GettingSmart #GettingSmartBlog #CriticalThinking #EdTech #GenAI #MediaLiteracy #ProjectBasedLearning

At Getting Smart, we know that celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month goes beyond honoring history—it's about taking meaningful action for a more inclusive future. In a new Getting Smart Blog by Aarika Guerrero, we shine a light on the powerful work being done to support Hispanic and Latinx students in education. We highlight trailblazers who have made significant advancements in education and representation, along with organizations like Latinos for Education, UnidosUS (@WeAreUnidosUS), and Hispanic Scholarship Fund, which are leading efforts to develop Latinx leadership, advocate for policy changes, and empower students with scholarships. Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities in creating more equitable learning environments and learn actionable ways to get involved in this critical work. By elevating Latinx voices, investing in leadership development, and advocating for policy change, we can contribute to building a more inclusive education system. Together, let's champion equity and representation in education: https://lnkd.in/gAkWkMhi #GettingSmart #GettingSmartBlog #HispanicHeritageMonth #InclusiveEducation #EquityInEd #LatinxLeaders #DiversityandInclusion #RepresentationMatters

The Getting Smart team was thrilled to join the Project Lead The Way leadership retreat in Seattle, diving into fresh ideas and strategies to advance new pathways in education. It's partnerships like these that drive impactful change and foster a culture of innovation. Tom Vander Ark | Rebecca Midles | Jessica Slusser | David L. Dimmett, Ed.D. | Brian Greiwe, MBA | John Williams | Matthew Voors | Sam Cox | Lisa Seay, SPHR, SHRM-SCP (she/her) | Samuel Adams, CPA | Jason Bailey, PhD | Joel Kupperstein | Catherine Minihan #GettingSmart #PLTW #NewPathways #LeadershipRetreat #EducationInnovation

We are excited to share an inspiring new Getting Smart Blog, "The Next Horizon," written by Sujata Bhatt, founder of Incubate Learning. This post is part of our H3 Series, sponsored by LearnerStudio, which highlights how communities nationwide are transforming education systems to be more human-centered and innovative. Discover what sets H3 apart and how Kentucky's deeper learning movement is a leading indicator of a change on the horizon. This series is not just about incremental changes but about rethinking the core assumptions of education. Join us in exploring this next horizon, and be part of the movement to create a better future for education: https://lnkd.in/ge7jw-uG #GettingSmart #GettingSmartBlog #LearnerStudio #IncubateLearning #H3 #H3Learning #CommunityDriven #HopeInEducation #EducationInnovation

The inaugural VELA Con 2024, hosted by The VELA Founder Network, brought together educators and edupreneurs from across the country to champion personalized learning and share innovative ideas. A new Getting Smart Blog by Victoria Andrews and Lizette Valles, M.Ed. highlights the event's theme, “New Frontiers in Education,” and the inspiring sessions that took place. Meredith Olson, President of VELA Education Fund, delivered a rousing keynote emphasizing the importance of individual talents and entrepreneurial spirit in personalized education. The event also showcased the growth of the VELA Founder Network from three founders in 2019 to nearly 3,000 today, supporting a diverse range of alternative education models. Powerful and influential speakers shared their experiences and insights, fueling a collective commitment to transforming education. The future of education feels within reach, powered by the enthusiasm and unity of this vibrant community. Join the movement: https://lnkd.in/gZyY-8Pt #GettingSmart #GettingSmartBlog #VELACon2024 #PersonalizedLearning #Edupreneurs #NewFrontiers #EducationInnovation

In the latest episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark sits down with project-based learning (PBL) advocate Kyle Wagner to explore the transformative power of PBL in fostering student-centered environments. Kyle shares his inspiring journey from visiting innovative schools like High Tech High to becoming a global ambassador for PBL. They dive into how these educational models foster creativity, agency, and purpose among students, and discuss the broader implications for education systems worldwide. Kyle also introduces his new book, "Where's the Teacher? 12 Shifts for Student-Centered Environments," which offers practical strategies for implementing PBL in educational settings. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or parent, this episode provides valuable insights into how project-based learning can reshape the future of education. Discover actionable steps to create more engaging and meaningful learning experiences for students: https://lnkd.in/gETeqN7s #GettingSmart #GettingSmartPodcast #ProjectBasedLearning #PBL #StudentCenteredLearning #EducationInnovation

The education landscape is evolving, and so should our approach to assessment. It’s time to move beyond traditional testing and embrace revelatory assessment—a powerful tool that not only measures but reveals the full spectrum of student learning. A new Getting Smart Blog by Abby Benedetto (she, her) and Kelly Niccolls explores how schools and educators can adopt innovative, learner-centered assessment practices that focus on reflection, process, and real-world application. This shift creates more opportunities for students to demonstrate growth and mastery in ways that truly matter. Discover why now is the time to rethink how we assess learning and empower students to show what they really know: https://lnkd.in/gjJejn9y #GettingSmart #GettingSmartBlog #RevelatoryAssessment #EdInnovation #StudentAgency #CompetencyBasedEducation

Digital equity is more than just providing devices—it’s about creating environments where all students can access and benefit from digital learning. A new Getting Smart Blog by Jessica Jackson, Jeffrey Starr, Ed.D, and D'Andre Weaver, Ph.D from Digital Promise highlights a new framework designed to help states and schools close the digital divide and ensure every student has equitable access to learning tools, resources, and opportunities. This framework takes a systemic approach to digital equity, addressing barriers at multiple levels. Explore practical steps your school or district can take to drive meaningful change in the digital equity landscape: https://lnkd.in/gte9tGry #GettingSmart #GettingSmartBlog #DigitalEquity #EdTech #Education #EdInnovation

Literacy is foundational to success in school, work, and life. It's more than just reading—literacy equips learners with critical thinking skills, the ability to communicate, and the confidence to navigate a complex world. In fact, over 770 million adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills, making the need for accessible education more urgent than ever. Today, on International Literacy Day, we recognize that literacy exists in all spaces—from books and media to digital tools and AI. It’s crucial that we continue to support innovative and inclusive learning environments that reflect this reality and make literacy accessible to all. At Getting Smart, we’re committed to advancing solutions to make literacy a priority for every learner. What action will you take to promote literacy in your community? #GettingSmart #LiteracyForAll #EdInnovation #LifelongLearning #InternationalLiteracyDay