Getting Smart

The Future of Learning is Expanding—Are We Ready? We’re always exploring how new learning pathways are reshaping education, that’s why we were excited to dive into Michael Horn's latest podcast episode where he discusses the shift from school choice to education choice. This conversation isn’t just about selecting a school—it’s about customizing learning experiences that better fit every learner’s unique needs, interests, and aspirations. What This Means for Learners: We’re seeing a growing movement toward unbundled and learner-driven education models. From microschools to hybrid learning environments, families are seeking more flexible, personalized options that align with real-world skills and future-ready competencies. This shift aligns with the work we do at Getting Smart—championing new pathways that prepare students for a dynamic future. Key Takeaways & What We’re Investigating Next: Listening to this conversation sparked some big questions for us: ? How can education systems better support “learning beyond school walls”? ? What policies and funding models need to evolve to enable real education choice? ? How do we ensure equitable access to these emerging opportunities? We’re energized by the momentum in this space and committed to exploring how these changes can drive better outcomes for all learners. Check out the episode here: https://lnkd.in/g57mwhMH #NewPathways #FutureOfLearning #PersonalizedEducation

At the 2025 Digital Credentials Summit, key insights emerged around the shift towards skills-based hiring and the importance of adaptability in the workplace. Discover how credentialing is evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing job market. Dive into the full discussion at the link below! #DigitalCredentials #WorkforceDevelopment #HigherEducation #NewPathways

Innovation doesn’t happen by chance—it happens by design. In their latest piece, Rebecca Midles and Nate McClennen introduce the Getting Smart Innovation Framework, which emphasizes a holistic approach to educational transformation by focusing on four interconnected layers: Learner: Prioritizing individual student needs, interests, and strengths to foster personalized learning experiences Learning: Designing engaging and relevant educational experiences that promote deep understanding and skill development Strategy: Developing coherent plans that align resources, policies, and practices to support innovative learning models System: Creating supportive infrastructures and cultures that sustain continuous improvement and scalability This comprehensive framework provides education leaders with a roadmap to design, test, and scale effective practices that truly serve learners. ?? How do we create the conditions for meaningful innovation? ?? What structures support real-world learning and learner agency? ?? How can schools and systems move from pilots to full-scale transformation? This blog unpacks key insights and practical strategies needed to drive impact. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gFDWCexS #EducationInnovation #SystemsChange #RealWorldLearning #Leadership

AI is reshaping education—but how can it support deeper learning rather than just efficiency? In a new piece on Getting Smart, Tom Vander Ark reflects on key takeaways from the AI + K-12 Deeper Learning Summit, where educators and experts explored how AI can enhance student agency, problem-solving, and meaningful learning experiences. Rather than replacing teachers, AI has the potential to personalize learning, provide real-time feedback, and expand opportunities for students to engage in complex, real-world challenges. As AI continues to evolve, how do we ensure it empowers learners and enhances the human side of education? Read more about the insights and next steps from the summit: https://lnkd.in/d7xucu5x #AIK12DeeperLearningSummit #RealWorldLearning

Imagine a future where learning isn’t confined to classrooms. In Kentucky’s 2040 learning ecosystem, education is immersive, dynamic, and deeply connected to the world around us. Math isn’t just equations on a page—math is movement. Math is discovery. In a new piece on Getting Smart, Sujata Bhatt and Mason Pashia paint a vivid picture of what a day in the life of a student could look like in this future-ready system. Learning is personalized, place-based, and powered by technology that enhances curiosity rather than replacing it. Students engage with their communities, solve real-world problems, and develop the skills needed for an ever-changing world. This blog is part of our H3 series, which explores how we might fundamentally reimagine learning for the future ahead. America’s education system was built for a different era—now, 200 years later, we need to redesign it so all learners can thrive. Horizon Three (H3) names the future-ready system we need—one that is grounded in equity, serves individual strengths and needs, and supports the common good. If this is the future of learning, how do we start preparing now? Read more and imagine what’s possible: https://lnkd.in/dzj29zmG #NewPathways LearnerStudio | Incubate Learning | Antonia Rudenstine | Thomas Arnett | Clayton Christensen Institute | reDesign | Mike Duncan, Ed.D. | Battelle for Kids | Katie Martin | Devin Vodicka | Learner-Centered Collaborative | Building 21 | Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) | Inkwire | Playlab AI | LaShawn Routé Chatmon | Tom Malarkey | National Equity Project | Chris Unger | Northeastern College of Professional Studies | Emily Liebtag | Education Reimagined | Laurie Gagnon | Virgel Hammonds | Aurora Institute | Mike Flanagan | Mastery Transcript Consortium? (MTC) | Josh Schachter | Melinda Englert | CommunityShare | Doris Korda | Korda Institute for Teaching | Columbus City Schools - Ohio | Losmeiya Huang | Growing Place | Chad Carlson | One Stone Inc. | One Stone Ventures

Today was one of those beautiful reminders of why we do what we do. We had the joy of welcoming special visitors from Spark Community Schools, and their presence filled our space with renewed energy and purpose. In the daily rhythm of building and growing, it’s easy to get caught up in the logistics, but moments like these bring us back to what truly matters—our shared love for children and the communities we build around them. Seeing familiar faces, all deeply committed to nurturing young minds, reignited something in me—a reminder that none of this work happens in isolation. It happens in collaboration, in connection, and in the quiet but powerful moments where we uplift and inspire each other. A heartfelt thank you to Getting Smart for weaving together these meaningful connections. It’s through relationships like these that we strengthen the fabric of our schools, ensuring that every child grows in a place of love, belonging, and possibility. Let’s continue to show up for one another, to build with intention, and to create school houses where every child—and every educator—feels seen, supported, and inspired. Because when we lift each other up, we all shine a little brighter. #TogetherWeThrive #EducationWithHeart #BuildingCommunity Darla Baquedano Victoria Andrews Jordan Luster Rebecca Midles Rachel Yanof Tom Vander Ark Caroline Vander Ark

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This year at #SXSWEDU felt different—in the best way possible. Educators from around the world leaned into vulnerability, challenged long-held assumptions, and made their voices heard. Session leaders didn’t shy away from the current realities; they used them to spark critical conversations. And through it all, the connections, insights, and ideas shared made this experience invaluable. Some of our biggest takeaways: -Tiny Experiments & an Experimental Mindset (Anne-Laure Le Cunff, PhD) Success isn’t about hitting a specific goal—it’s about learning. The best way forward? Treat life like a laboratory. Test, reflect, iterate. Instead of feeling stuck in uncertainty, use it as fuel for curiosity and growth. -The Power of Representation in STEM & Media (Emily Calandrelli) Emily’s journey reminded us that when opportunities don’t exist, we have to create them. Her pivot from a canceled TV show to books, YouTube, and investing in her own storytelling is a masterclass in persistence. Representation isn’t just important—it shapes who even sees themselves in the story. -Engagement Comes from Relevance (@Reading with a Rapper, Jarren Small) Learning doesn’t have to fit inside a rigid, traditional box. This session reinforced a truth we already know—meeting students where they are makes all the difference. If the goal is learning, why wouldn’t we tap into music, media, and culture to make it happen? -Young People Want to Change the World—Are We Helping? A panel of young changemakers drove home a crucial point: Service should be accessible, not extra. Community impact isn’t just another box to check—it should be woven into the learning experience in ways that feel real, meaningful, and student-driven. -Navigating Education Policy & the Partisan Divide Trust is at an all-time low. People don’t trust research, institutions, or even each other. But one area of bipartisan agreement? Career & Technical Education. How do we build on that common ground while tackling the harder conversations with honesty and openness? Where do we go from here? One challenge we left with—how do we keep moving these conversations forward? Every year, we gather, share ideas, and push for change, but given the current climate, progress can feel frustratingly slow. That said, we’re taking Sharon McMahon advice and orienting ourselves toward hope. We keep showing up. We keep doing the work. And we keep pushing forward. Huge gratitude to #SXSWEDU for another thought-provoking experience and to all the incredible people we connected with—in sessions, lobbies, hallways, and networking events. If we met, let’s keep the conversation going! If we didn’t, let’s connect now—what were your biggest takeaways? #SXSWEDU #Education #Innovation #TinyExperiments #RepresentationMatters #KeepPushingForward

The workforce is changing faster than ever. Automation, AI, and shifting job demands are redefining careers, making it critical for education and training programs to keep pace. Are today’s emerging pathways resilient enough to support learners in an unpredictable labor market? In the latest blog on Getting Smart, Mason Pashia explores the durability of New Pathways—learning models designed to connect students to real-world experiences, industry credentials, and evolving career opportunities. As workforce demands shift, these pathways must remain adaptive, ensuring that students and workers can navigate change with confidence. Understanding how these pathways hold up in a changing economy is essential for educators, employers, and policymakers alike. Read more about the future of work and education here: https://lnkd.in/gd9iaJy9 American Student Assistance | Pathful Inc. | Roadtrip Nation | CareerVillage.org | SchoolJoy | Gladeo | CareerViewXR | Advance CTE | Michael Horn #NewPathways #FutureOfWork

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