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EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT. The potential for innovation in higher ed, alternative pathways, programs and flexibility across postsecondary is the subject of debate at the US Department of Education’s (ED) “Accreditation & Innovation”  hearings this week, part of ED’s negotiating rule-making process. The highly bi-partisan effort embraced by people across higher ed, ed tech, the investment community and consumers appreciate the urgency of getting rid of 20th Century nostrums and regulatory straitjackets that create barriers to fresh thinking.  They back the need to focus on the ability of institutions to develop innovative programs that are responsive to the needs of students and employers. Higher ed disruptors, including education company investors and ed sector experts gathered for the semi-annual Capital Roundtable hoping to drive dramatic change by early next year.

SPEAKING OF THE NEXUS BETWEEN EDUCATION , INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT,  and we just were, Ryan Craig argues that with nearly 7 million unfilled jobs, technology and associated required skills advancing at breakneck pace, and postsecondary education and workforce development systems that have refused to budge, we need unprecedented innovation in order to sustain the American Dream of continued growth and shared opportunity… solutions won’t only come from higher education, but from a range of public, not-for-profit, and private actors, and via new pathways that aren’t immediately recognizable as education or training.” Craig is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of University Ventures, a leader in reimagining the future of higher education and creating new pathways from education to employment. You can join the fresh conversation here:

YOU’LL HAVE TO TRY HARD TO AVOID UNIONS IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK.  And kudos to the media for working hard to balance their false narrative that they are only working for better teacher conditions. The strike by teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District – the nation’s second largest – has dominated education related headlines.  Our leadership has been a much sought after voice of reason on this issue. We’ve pointed out that their increased post – Janus decision opposition to the demand and success of charter schools in LA and elsewhere are driving many of their demands, with negative and misleading activities intended to turn parents who have experienced life-saving experiences in these innovative schools against them (see Exhibit A). Check out our comments in the Los Angeles Times , the Atlantic  and some major dailies, as well as on talk radio on one of LA’s most listened to radio stations, KABC-FM.

Exhibit A: Tweet from UTLA on charters

NEXT WEEK IS NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK. There’s a reason more than 20,000 events are organized to salute the options parents have utilized to educate their students in the manner that suits them best. Learn about those events,  the cause, and the promise that has lifted boats for all children.

Yes, yes – by all means eat healthier, exercise more and all that jazz.  But the resolutions about which we will be most resolute are all about continuing CER’s leadership to ensure that every American student, whether child or adult, is prepared to achieve their goals and dreams. A few not-so-modest examples:

MAKE “WHY AMERICA?” A QUESTION ASKED IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY – AND PROVIDE ANSWERS. Our newest initiative piloted in Washington DC is “Why America?,” a multi-faceted program aimed at charter middle school students in our nation’s capitol to drive new and improved understanding and appreciation of the landmarks and milestones in close proximity to them. The partnership with District charter schools and FOCUS-DC makes history come alive for young people. As author David McCullough puts it so well, “You cannot love what you do not know.”  Our aim is to help our students know – and love – America. We are building a model we will share.

EXPAND OPPORTUNITY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. The enormous challenges in fragile communities require equally big, rapid and substantive responses. We will demonstrate that amazing transformations can happen when you’re willing to be bold, collaborative and intensely impatient.  With a new eco-system of ed innovators, entrepreneurs, traditional and non traditional education actors from early education through career, we will help reboot an entire county’s rural education ecosystem and prove that doing so is not only possible but welcome in even the most challenged communities.

EXPAND OPPORTUNITY ACROSS ALL STATES WHERE IT’S MISSING, CONTROLLED OR CHALLENGED. CER’s path breaking work on charter school laws, it’s pioneering work in school choice, and our reliance on other choice experts from the American Federation of Children to EdChoice allows us to see the flaws in laws that limit the needed school opportunities that students in K-12 most need. While some state lawmakers think incremental change is acceptable, we will, regardless of political party or agenda, continue to make it our business to call out those who stand in the way of getting every child the education they deserve and supporting the grassroots in bigger and more expansive ways than ever before. Part of that requires us to…

CREATE CONGRESSIONAL AWARENESS AND ACTION.  After many months of introducing Congress to the reality of innovative education solutions, personalized learning, the importance of assessing competency not time on task and opening up eyes to the wealth of incredible action going on in schools in all sectors, we are happy to report that the Congressional Education Innovation Caucus has been created, and will be a great partner to amplify the work done throughout the nation and all congressional districts.

WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS OF BOTH PARTIES TO KEEP IT NON-PARTISAN. Whether by informing the general public on the views of governors and gubernatorial candidates on thinking “outside the envelope” or driving better local actions, we look forward to working closely with those who agree with us on Innovation and Opportunity and engage in friendly persuasion for those with whom we don’t see eye-to eye.

CHALLENGE HIGHER EDUCATION to become more responsive, relevant and innovative.  Following the lead of the great minds working in and around higher ed, from Strada Education Network to the members of the University Innovation Alliance, we will uncover and reveal what makes some more innovative than others, and work to advance those attributes whether through policy or persuasion.

And our final resolution…

These are just a few examples of how we are resolved to answer these questions for our nation in 2019 that have us already bursting with pride. Join us in our quest. Just tell us how you can contribute and we will plug you in.

Now as to a better diet and more exercise…we’ll get back to you on that one.