Up&Up, a GMB Brand’s Post

Higher Education is facing headwinds like never before. If you are heading to the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Annual Conference in Philly in July, please stop by our session to hear our panelists discuss this timely topic! #gensler #purposeofcampus

📣Live updates from #SNESummit24. Now hearing from Colin Lofthouse (Chair of Schools North East). The Summit is our flagship event and it is always inspiring to see so many colleagues and leaders from across the broad spectrum of the North East’s incredible education community. As we gather here today, we are surrounded by some of the finest school leaders in the country—leaders who know their communities, their students, and their schools better than anyone else. North East schools are not only resilient but remarkable, and the expertise that exists in this room is beyond doubt. They have faced immense challenges, yet time and time again, they've shown that with the right support, they can achieve incredible results for the children and young people in their care. The lesson today is clear: ‘trust’. Trust in our knowledge, our experience, and our deep understanding of what our schools and communities need. But trust alone is not enough. Trust must be matched by resources, support, and partnership. Policymakers and politicians must work with us, not above us. So, let’s reshape the narrative. Let’s 'Educate Westminster', tell the real story of the North East’s schools — one of courage, innovation, and dedication. And let’s ensure that every policy, every decision, is grounded in the reality of what it takes to make North East education thrive. When we trust and support the expertise in this room, we will not just improve our schools; we will transform lives and communities. #NorthEastEducation #EduLeadership

 “Too Essential to Fail: Why Our Big Bet on Public Education Needs a Bold National Response” written by Karen J. Pittman and Merita Irby and commissioned by Education Reimagined is now available.  ➡ https://lnkd.in/gZKUd6wd As part of KP Catalysts - Knowledge to Power Catalysts‘ broader Centering Youth Thriving efforts, “Too Essential to Fail” serves as a reminder that increasing youth thriving is possible, but to get there, we must move away from high academic standards being synonymous with standardization. We know that isn’t how people learn. It’s encouraging to see innovation, organizations thinking differently about competency-based learning, and more. Yet as long as these bright spots exist only in pockets, they will further exacerbate rather than combat inequity. “Too Essential to Fail” brings together a preponderance of evidence from disparate sources that combined gives us the confidence we need to create  “a new education architecture that leverages the full complement of community resources needed to empower and support learners for life, work, and civic engagement.” 

Boldness ⚡ abounded at this morning’s education panel at #TribFest. Some thoughts and comments that will stay with me, starting with those from the former Secretaries of Education: Arne Duncan reflected on our fraying democracy—we talk a lot about political polarization, but less about the growing gulf between education haves and have-nots. He empathized with how scary it is for parents who see their kids falling on the have-not side, especially when it’s no fault of their own but rather due to a lack of high-quality public options or affordable higher ed. Margaret Spellings pushed us to get real about the THING—if kids can't read, what does it matter what they’re (not) reading? Also, ignoring the baggage of NCLB proper, no child should be left behind. I’m sure we can all agree on that. But it’s also not okay to tell students (and their parents) that they’re on track (or even ahead) when they’re not. Quality, measurement, and transparency are key. (Truth leads to trust—another great line from this session.) And our very own Allan Golston made the simple point that if we don’t (or can’t) change what happens between a student and a teacher, we’ll be having this same conversation in 20 years. It’s always those simple ideas that get you, isn’t it? So much of my work is two (or three or ten) steps removed from that fundamental learner-educator relationship, it’s easy to forget. But what are the parts of my own education that I remember, that pushed me and made me better? Teachers. 💛 Another powerful throughline that deserves its whole own panel (...or conference, for that matter) was expanding the purview of public education from K-12 to PreK-14—starting the momemtum earlier and keeping it going longer. I like it. Thank you to Adam Harris for the lively and thoughtful facilitation and to The Texas Tribune for putting together such a brilliant (and bipartisan) event. 🤠 (And to Margaret's shoes for giving this photo a pop of color. 🍎 )

Thank you Kwesi Rollins for sharing your insights on "Too Essential to Fail." ➡ https://lnkd.in/gZKUd6wd “Too Essential to Fail: Why Our Big Bet on Public Education Needs a Bold National Response” written by Karen J. Pittman and Merita Irby and commissioned by Education Reimagined is now available.  ➡ https://lnkd.in/gZKUd6wd As part of KP Catalysts - Knowledge to Power Catalysts‘ broader Centering Youth Thriving efforts, “Too Essential to Fail” serves as a reminder that increasing youth thriving is possible, but to get there, we must move away from high academic standards being synonymous with standardization. We know that isn’t how people learn. It’s encouraging to see innovation, organizations thinking differently about competency-based learning, and more. Yet as long as these bright spots exist only in pockets, they will further exacerbate rather than combat inequity. “Too Essential to Fail” brings together a preponderance of evidence from disparate sources that combined gives us the confidence we need to create  “a new education architecture that leverages the full complement of community resources needed to empower and support learners for life, work, and civic engagement.”

Mark your calendar for important topics for #OhioEd.

I think one of the best things one could do for students is to  create a mentoring program for those already working in the schools like paraprofessionals to become teachers while still working to earn their initial teaching certificate. The program should include those who already have a College degree. One of the largest barriers to getting a teaching degree is the cost of going back to college.  

Spotlighting Health Policy and Management #MPH Student Peter Harper and the three top reasons he chose the Texas A&M School of Public Health. Thanks, Peter, for sharing your story! Learn more about our MPH programs and apply today!  tx.ag/MPHProgram https://lnkd.in/gEDMzFjv #MPH #HealthPolicy #HealthManagement #TAMU #TAMUHealth

Who are your early innovators? How might they be the catalyst to statewide changes in education practice? These questions have fueled a transformative journey in Indiana where America Succeeds and Learner-Centered Collaborative partnered with the state's Department of Education to amplify the impact of the Employability Skills Initiative. Read all about it in our latest blog post: https://hubs.ly/Q02rMlfr0

Innovating and Evolving is right!