M. Scott Brewster, Ph.D.’s Post

Transforming Education: Career AND College Ready for GenZ

📝 Rethinking High School: New Models for Modern Education 📝 This EdWeek article illuminates innovative approaches some districts are taking to reimagine the high school experience. By focusing on personalized learning, career pathways, and real-world skills, these schools are shaping students for the future, not just the next test. As we strive to adapt education to the needs of today’s students, it’s inspiring to see districts leading the way with fresh ideas. #EducationInnovation #HighSchoolReform #FutureReady

A recent poll from NPR on teens and #highereducation highlights valid concerns about declining engagement and the heavy emphasis on college as the only path for teens. It raises the question of whether the real issue is the focus on college itself or the lack of exposure to alternative pathways, such as apprenticeships and vocational training. Should schools broaden their approach? Would offering diverse post-graduation options that cater to different interests diminish the perceived value of higher education? Students value teachers who care about them and form connections. Perhaps fostering stronger, individualized connections in the classroom would not only improve engagement but also help students explore various futures, college-bound or not. Let's Discuss? Josh Campbell Felisha Mason Carrika Washington Emeritus Alexandra Trunnell Giselle Sedeno Vanderbilt University #greatfutures #college #HigherEd #Opinion Read full article via NPR https://lnkd.in/emKt-nTU

Why is Gen Z less excited about back-to-school this year? Middle and high school students are coming back to school without feeling engaged or interested in college, according to a new poll from Gallup and Walton Family Foundation, as reported by NPR. Here are a few of the big reasons why: • They don’t feel challenged in school and are disengaged from the material Less than half (46%) of students agree that “at school, I get to do what I do best every day.” • Schools are struggling to engage students who don’t have college plans Non-college bound students are less likely to have a teacher or adult who makes them excited about the future. • They’re inundated with messaging about college for years. 68% percent of high schoolers say they’ve heard “a lot about college” – compared to just 23% saying the same about apprenticeships and other postsecondary options. For students who don’t have college plans, it can be a lot of stress. Being able to share the full spectrum of post-secondary options with students so they can find the quality options that fit their goals best is a difference maker– and educators can use platforms like Willow Education, PBC to help chart individual student pathways at scale across their school. https://lnkd.in/emKt-nTU Article author: Cory Turner

This student's story explains why it's time to rethink "credentials." "...While societal stigmas may plague the reputation of community college, my experience has allowed me to understand its quintessential role in education. For me and millions of others, our dual enrollment in a community college is more than just another class: "It’s a chance to do what we believed was impossible." (Source: https://lnkd.in/ghAjGsnm) #education #communitycollege #dualenrollment #futureofwork #talentacquisition #labormarket #hiringpractices #ageinclusion #workforce #jobs

A recent article in Education Week highlights that students are eager to learn more about career pathways, yet many high schools don't have the education and programming in place. Empowering students with the skills and knowledge to explore career opportunities will help to ensure their readiness for the future workforce. #schools #career #K12

If you want to understand the state of high school education in America, start right here. Highlights: -More Students in Intentional Pathways  -More Evidence of Career Exploration Lowlights: -Engagement is the Exception  -Math Education is Obsolete What else caught your attention?

We have been getting how we talk to kids about the future really wrong for a long time in our current education systems. We have been so backwards. “GO TO COLLEGE” IS NOT A CAREER (or a life!) PLAN….. We just simply have to do better! From the article: “While only about half of Gen Z students say they plan to go to college, their K-12 schools spend a lot of time talking about it — way more than they talk about alternatives. 💥Sixty-eight percent of high-school respondents say they’ve heard “a lot” about college. By comparison, just 23% of high-schoolers say they’ve heard “a lot” about apprenticeships, certificates and vocational programs. And only 19% say they hear a lot about jobs that don’t require college.💥” Let that sink in for a minute. Now, match that to this: In 2021, 24% of the U.S. workforce worked in STEM occupations, of which more than half did not have a bachelor's degree… (via NCSES) …. I bet a whole lot of people think “STEM = College.” How many kids who could fill those thousands of jobs are steered away from them because it’s assume college has to be part of that equation? And that’s just one example. To be clear: I am not “anti-college” (heck, I’m currently in a PhD program). But I am “anti” reinforcing or sending a message to kids that it is the ONLY way to be successful in life. All of this encapsulates why it is so important to me that our #CareerCounseling program is built on a common language (#RIASEC) then we build on that by helping students figure out who they are as human beings, what they are strong at, what they enjoy, and how they want to leverage all of that to find a fulfilling career. THEN… AFTER that part, we can talk about the education or training plan needed to get to that career.

This article is an excellent summary of the challenges and successes community college students face in their academic journey. I have so much I could say, not only as someone who worked with community college students, but was one of them who made it through the pipeline to complete their BA. I have so much gratitude for everything community colleges have done for me and continue to do for communities. Some big take-aways here in the greater early-stage workforce development sphere tie in with what community college as a whole have been recognizing over the last decade: 1. Clarity on ROI. Folks need to know that the time and money they are investing will put them on a clear path to good jobs. 2. Communities have different needs. Remaining nimble and responsive ensure folks get the job training they need to fill community needs and support their families. 3. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. University culture often centers around one type of student: the recent high school graduate who has the financial support system to focus on being a full-time student. Community colleges are more representative of the broader community, just as is the workforce. Filling clean energy jobs will also mean workforce development and educational opportunities that meaningfully engage the full extent of community.

Thank you Trevor Soponis PhD for sharing this article by Tom Vander Ark! I very much appreciate the research visiting over 50 schools and seeing over 1000 classrooms in practice across several cities. Definitely worth a read if one is interested in learning more about innovative, forward thinking practice in school design. I was curious to not see some other organizations that I know are active in this space as well -perhaps they were visited and not mentioned? My list includes: @HighTechHighSchools/ High Tech High Graduate School of Education Envision Education and Linked Learning Alliance Big Picture Learning This article highlights the importance that as educators we need to continue to transform the model of education towards a future that is more fit for purpose and less a replication of the education we ourselves experienced. Learning about what Dallas School District and North Kansas School District are doing on a wide scale is encouraging and similar to the work I saw first hand in Linked Learning schools in Los Angeles. When students are given a competency based criteria, resources to learn with they can do amazing projects and demonstrate learning that matters. This learning can be captured in a Mastery Transcript Consortium® (MTC) portfolio or tracked using HEADRUSH Learning Inc. tools. We have the knowledge and power to make these changes happen- now it is a matter of a willingness and leadership to steward necessary transformation to best prepare the next generation of leaders, scholars and global citizens. What are your thoughts? Please share along with any other interesting transformational work. Derrick Chau Esther Soliman Esther Dabagyan Greg Lippman Cesar Morales Steve Barr Lisa Mauricio, Ed.D. Agodi Alagbe Jose Azcue Jose Hernandez