Education Reform has evolved. And with it, so has CER’s mission to transform the landscape for education excellence and opportunity. In an increasingly digital world, the need to connect the dots between leading innovators and technology with the demand for greater educational opportunity is more critical than ever. The need to improve opportunities for students is part of the reason we’re playing a role in a new EdTech accelerator and incubator. And it’s why in June CER convened hundreds of leaders in education, business, politics, and media to make a bold call for a New Opportunity Agenda in education, focused on Innovation and Opportunity, and with it a commitment to advancing both throughout all education.
“XQ: The Super Schools Project” is answering that call. It seeks to answer the question: “What do our high schools need to prepare our students for the future?”
Last night, a school near and dear to CER (whose founder Seth Andrew is a long time ally and edreform superstar and whose board incudes CER’s CEO Jeanne Allen – Washington Leadership Academy (WLA) – was announced as one of ten XQ Super School winners. No small feat, as there were nearly 700 schools in the running!
As CBS This Morning reported, “At the Washington school, [Laurene Powell Jobs] found the kind of creative and collaborative approach to learning she says students need to prosper in today’s world.”
How does @WLApcs #RethinkHighSchool? Students all receive 4 years of computer science classes! #XQBigReveal pic.twitter.com/DcLjvEq9ho
— Emerson Collective (@EmCollective) September 14, 2016
Laurene Powell Jobs (yes, that “Jobs” – wife of the late tech genius Steve Jobs) is the funder behind the XQ Super Schools project, awarding $10M grants to schools daring to rethink high school and prepare students for a 21st century economy.
The XQ Super School’s Big Reveal in Washington DC yesterday gathered some of the biggest national leaders and entertainers in one room (The rumors are true – MC Hammer was there along with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi). We’re excited that innovation and opportunity in education is getting the national attention it deserves, and are thrilled to be at the forefront the genesis of education reform and solutions that enable all seeking a great education – at any age, time or place –the ability to do so.
Congrats to the XQ Super Schools winners, and all schools across America with courageous leaders and educators daring to reimagine education.
Want more? Check out #XQBigReveal and #RethinkHighSchool on Twitter.