Education innovation discussed at National Governors Association winter meeting

National Governors Association (NGA) Chair, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, led a discussion on education innovation at the NGA Winter Meeting in Washington, DC. Joined by ParentData CEO Emily Oster and technology journalist Kara Swisher, the event focused on using data and technology to advance educational practices. This discussion is part of Governor Polis' initiative "Let’s Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success."

Governor Polis emphasized the need for quality education access, stating, "Governors have a responsibility to guarantee every student has access to a quality education." He highlighted the importance of measuring success beyond test scores and diplomas to ensure students are prepared for careers or college.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt supported this view, noting that collaboration with businesses and educational institutions is crucial. "If kids aren’t leaving high school college ready or career ready, we haven’t done our job," he said.

Emily Oster pointed out the necessity of measurable policies in vocational training and readiness. She said, "The most important general principle here is to say that if we have a policy, we must have something to measure that we can use to evaluate if it works."

Kara Swisher addressed future challenges posed by AI in education and employment. She stressed promoting creativity, team-building skills, and critical thinking as essential areas where human intelligence will remain vital.

Launched in July 2024, "Let’s Get Ready" aims to assist governors in crafting policies that improve educational outcomes and prepare students for workforce demands. The initiative seeks solutions through discussions with federal officials and leaders from various sectors.

Further information about "Let’s Get Ready" can be found on the NGA website.

Information from this article can be found here.