Education leaders discuss strategies at New York convening

There is a growing consensus among political and educational leaders on the necessity of reforming the education system to better prepare students for success. This was highlighted at a recent event in New York, part of NGA Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ initiative titled "LET’S GET READY! Educating All Americans for Success."

Governor Polis introduced a panel that discussed bottom-up approaches to achieving educational success. The panel included Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and Geoffrey Canada, founder and president of the Harlem Children’s Zone.

Weingarten emphasized creating safe and welcoming school environments and advocated for experiential learning methods to engage students. She underscored the importance of aligning education with workforce needs through programs like dual enrollment and apprenticeships. “One of the things that is really enduring about America is that Americans want opportunity for all,” she stated.

Canada supported Weingarten's views, advocating for new models that involve parents and communities in addressing children's diverse needs. He highlighted the importance of pre-K education and comprehensive support from birth to career, sharing successful examples from Harlem. “We’ve decided... we’re going to simply let schools fix it... It just does not work… So our model is cradle to career,” he remarked.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont shared insights on his state’s Learner Engagement and Attendance Program, which collaborates with families to boost student attendance. In response to questions about charter schools, Canada noted their compatibility with public schools: “We need schools that educate children. I don’t care what they look like.”

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee spoke about tackling chronic absenteeism in his state. Both Weingarten and Canada stressed sustainability in educational programs by meeting students' needs, including social-emotional aspects, through public-private partnerships.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's comments on federal involvement prompted discussions on federal accountability in supporting vulnerable children. The panelists agreed on the necessity of data across states to ensure high-quality education access.

The session concluded with discussions on engaging parents and communities as vital partners in education. Weingarten called for an accountability system aligned with essential student skills, while Canada focused on holistic skills development like problem-solving.

The event underlined the need for meaningful measurements in driving educational success—a core principle of LET’S GET READY!