The Connection

When I was a teenager, I had a very narrow view of the world, one informed by those around me. At my most desperate, drug dealing and/or prostitution looked like legitimate options. Never once did I consider, for example, joining the military or becoming a nun. I did not know to consider those options, or countless others. And I was not alone. Many teenagers who are struggling do not see a pathway towards a normal, productive life.

Addressing equity in K-12 education is not just about giving students skills, it is about nurturing their ability to dream, and providing them with the social connections needed to make those dreams a reality. Yes, this is an issue of equity and one directly tied to our economic growth. But more importantly, the world is not short on problems that need solving. We cannot afford to waste the talents of countless people who could and want to contribute to a better future. Many of the students the K-12 system loses are the ones who care the most.

Using Technology to Connect Education & Industry

What If…

It were possible to use technology to easily incorporate the knowledge and expertise of industry professionals into the K-12 learning experience?

Then…

  1. Student Engagement: it would be easier to create authentic, project-based learning experiences for students, aligned with their interests and future goals.

  2. Exposure: students would gain early exposure to potential career opportunities that they might otherwise not have considered as well as opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world problems related to those careers.

  3. Social Capital: students could be connected to people who both inspire them and can become mentors and advocates

  4. Equity: all of the above items would be true regardless of the zip code where the student lives; we would even the playing field across locales, racial, language, and socioeconomic boundaries

Not a Pipedream

  • Internet Infrastructure: 98% of school districts can access the Internet at sufficient speeds for this to work. And as a result of concerted efforts, the cost of school broadband has decreased by 85% since 2013, bringing it within financial reach of districts.

  • Project-based Learning: is a methodology that is being widely adopted in may districts nationwide, with support from non-profits such as PBLWorks, the New Tech Network, and training from local organizations.

  • Technology Platforms: Edtech companies, such as this one, have designed all the technical infrastructure, as well as developed national networks of industry professionals, to enable the immediate piloting of this idea.

Interested in bringing a solution like this to your community?