In this week’s episode, Tom is joined by Tim Taylor. Tim is the Cofounder and President of America Succeeds, a national network of business organizations working to improve and modernize the education system. Prior to launching America Succeeds, he served as the founding President of Colorado Succeeds. Both Colorado Succeeds and America Succeeds are based on the core principles of business that apply to education: transparency, return on investment, accountability, competition, and customers first.

 

In fall 2017, America Succeeds released their report, “The Age of Agility: Education Pathways for the Future of Work,” to call attention to the misalignment between what is being taught in schools (both K-12 and higher education) and the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required by the modern workplace.

 

Join Tim and Tom as they discuss “The Age of Agility” report and discuss the conscious effort America Succeeds is making to ensure that educators are valued and equipped with the agility to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce.

 

Key Takeaways:

[:19] About today’s episode!

[1:51] Tom welcomes Tim to the podcast.

[2:03] Tim talks about his early education.

[4:00] Tim’s speaks about his path to advocacy.

[6:55] Is there something about Denver that attracts a lot of advocates?

[8:08] What led Tom to become an education advocate.

[9:08] From Colorado Succeeds to America Succeeds; Tim’s journey launching America Succeeds.

[12:00] Tim describes the mission of America Succeeds.

[13:12] The changes in the economy Tim began to see that have some important implications for education.

[15:54] Why Tim describes the period that we’re in as “The Age of Agility.”

[18:35] Tim highlights some of the key drivers of change.

[23:14] Why entrepreneurship is more important than ever for young learners.

[25:11] Tim speaks about the Agility Tour and its implications.

[27:19] Does Tim predict a standard response emerging in terms of agility or will every community be specially crafted?

[29:50] Does Tim see States standardizing a standard approach or each crafting a unique approach based on need and opportunity?

[31:14] The importance of business partnerships.

[32:58] How schools can adapt to these changes around the world.

[34:55] How can businesses that want to get involved help?

[36:14] On the Agility Tour, is the importance of work-based learning and partnering with schools to help them become more agile talked about?

[36:46] Tim shares a policy example that they’re super excited about right now at America Succeeds.

[40:45] Tim gives a quick look forward at 2019 — what’s in store for America Succeeds, going forward.

[42:30] Where to find Tim and his work online.

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

America Succeeds

Colorado Succeeds

Albertson Foundation

EDVenture Summit (in Boise)

“The Age of Agility: Education Pathways for the Future of Work”

Colorado Children’s Campaign

Jamie Casap (Chief Education Evangelist for Google)

Agility Tour

 

Want to learn More about Getting Smart’s Future of Work Campaign?

Head to: GettingSmart.com/FutureofWork and follow #FutureofWork on social media!

 

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