1. The document discusses how education is critical to a nation's future success but that the US is falling behind, with many students behind in reading and high school dropout rates. It argues schools cannot solve these problems alone and that a broader "ladder of learning" is needed. 2. It identifies six leading edges of K-12 innovation: thinking, curriculum/assessment, technology, time/place, co-teaching, and engaging youth. The arts are presented as key to developing thinking and student engagement. 3. Examples are given of how technology, time/place flexibility, co-teaching, and engaging youth through programs like GenYES can drive educational innovation.

1. 1 Education Nation The Arts as Leading Edges of Innovation in our Schools “ Transforming Urban School Systems Through the Arts” Arts Education Partnership San Francisco, CA • September 16, 2011 Milton Chen, Ph.D. Senior Fellow George Lucas Educational Foundation [email_address]

2. Imagine an Education Nation… A learning society where education of children is the highest priority, on par with a strong economy, high employment, and national security. Education is the critical investment for a nation’s future, not a cost.

3. The U.S. an Education Nation? • Of 50 1st-grade students behind in reading, 44 still behind in 4th-grade • A HS student drops out every 26 seconds, 6,000 each day (Tough Choices or Tough Times, 2006) • CA students 1 year behind U. S. average, 2-3 years behind best states (NAEP 2007, 8th-gr. math) • Closing the gap could contribute $2 trillion per year in GDP (McKinsey & Co., 2010)

4. “ The New Australia: Most Advanced Educational System in the World?” Broadband. 1:1 Programs. Asian Proximity. English-speaking. Democracy. Rule of Law. Respect for IP. Mark R. Anderson Strategic News Service, 2009

5. Redesigning a New Educational System: Schools Can’t Do It Alone A “ladder of learning” from pre-K through “gray” blending formal and informal learning through schools, universities, media, museums, libraries, companies, churches, youth groups, parks, and more

6. • Innovation: The Key to an Education Nation • A “Must Do, ” Not Just “Nice to Know” • Internet Time: Google 13 Years Old, YouTube 6 Years • Every Minute, 24 Hours of New YouTube Video

11. “ Average students learn subject matter in a third or less of present time, pleasurably rather than painfully.” George Leonard, Education and Ecstasy , 1967

12. 4

13. 6 Leading Edges of K-12 Innovation 1. Thinking 2. Curriculum & Assessment 3. Technology 4. Time/Place 5. Co-Teaching 6. Youth

25. 3. The Technology Edge • Weapons of Mass Instruction, 1:1 edutopia.org/maine-project-learning- schools-that-work • iPod, iListen, iRead sites.google.com/a/eusd.org/eusd-iread/ • Online Learning edutopia.org/stw-online-learning- new-breakthroughs • Wiki-Based 8th-Gr. US History • Intelligent Text • Assistive Tech/Universal Design

29. 4. The Time/Place Edge • Schools as “ Prisoners of Time ” www2.ed.gov/pubs/PrisonersOfTime/Prisoners.html • A New Day for Learning, Beyond the Bell www.newdayforlearning.org • Plac e-Based Learning: Museums, Libraries, Parks, Gardens

31. 5. The Teaching Edge: Co-Teaching • Parents as Co-Educators • Linking Home, School, Many Learning Places • Experts as Co-Educators: Artists, Librarians, Scientists, Historians, Architects, Writers • Students as Peer Teachers

32. 6. The Greatest Edge: Today ’ s Youth • 95% of Stakeholders • Digital Natives Carrying Change in their Pockets • Generation YES: Students as TAs genyes.org • Edutopia ’ s Digital Generation edutopia.org/digital-generation

34. edutopia.org/digital-generation

35. edutopia.org/digital-generation

36. edutopia.org/digital-generation

37. edutopia.org/digital-generation

38. What ’ s your definition of a great school? Make it short and measurable!

39. Do the kids run in at the same rate they run out?