The Future of Education

As public confidence in major institutions continues to erode, the American K–12 education system finds itself straining under the weight of legacy expectations and modern demands. From grading and college recommendations to extracurriculars and character development, K-12 schools are tasked with a near-impossible mission: to do it all, for everyone. At the same time,…

As America reevaluates what its public schools are truly for, new questions emerge about the purpose, performance, and priorities of K-12 education system. A system once centered around teaching the “three Rs” now juggles responsibilities as diverse as social services, values instruction, and community governance. Yet, despite these ambitions, a growing chorus of education…

The landscape of higher education has been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate in recent years. The rising costs of tuition, the ballooning of administrative overhead, and questions about the real value of a college degree have sparked a vital conversation about the future of higher education.  This has sparked discussions among educators,…

How can education evolve to prioritize human potential and self-actualization over standardized results? In the latest episode of “The Future of Education: Class Disrupted,” hosts Michael B. Horn and Diane Tavenner, along with their esteemed guest Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, a Cognitive Scientist, Podcaster, Author, and Coach, explore the transformative power of viewing education…

The world is increasingly driven by the quest for equality and understanding, and the realms of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become more than just buzzwords; they have emerged as pivotal elements in shaping the future of education. Yet, as these concepts gain prominence, they also encounter resistance and misinterpretation, leading to polarized…

Apprenticeship could be the perfect solution to moving the needle and bridging the experience gap in education. As education stands at a crossroads between educational reform and workforce development, how can apprenticeship programs revolutionize the approach to equipping the next generation for the evolving job market? In an insightful episode of The Future of…

What approaches must education take in advancing teaching in a post-pandemic world? How can traditional education reshape itself to include a more dynamic, skills-based learning approach? As educational paradigms shift towards nurturing adaptability and critical thinking, leaders in the field are poised to redefine the learning framework to prepare students for a rapidly evolving…

On the latest episode of “The Future of Education: Class Disrupted,” hosts Michael Horn and Diane Tavenner take a deep look into the rapid growth and advancements of AI in education and its implications for education. To better understand how AI is making change with students and in general, the two interviewed Irhum Shafkat,…

How do Americans define success? That’s a loaded question, and one guaranteed to illicit multiple answers depending on who answers it and under what context. Recently, the traditional view of success, often interlinked with higher education and subsequent white-collar employment, has been scrutinized. A growing discourse suggests that success might have a more nuanced…

A recent School Pulse Panel study revealed a concerning trend in U.S. education today, student behavior. The data within the study suggests schools are facing substantial behavioral challenges post-pandemic, and they feel they need more strategies to address them. Educator, Author, and Host of The Future of Education, Michael B Horn, said that when he…

As debates around the value of college heat up and the demand for skilled workers rises, a growing number of educators and policymakers are rethinking the “college for all” mindset. A 2024 report from Georgetown’s CEW found that many middle-skill jobs—requiring only a certificate or associate’s degree—pay over $53,000 annually early on in a…

In a moment where the traditional architecture of K-12 education is being reimagined, a quiet revolution is underway. As the conversation around durable skills, competency-based learning, and alternative transcripts gains traction, a powerful partnership between Educational Testing Service (ETS) and the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC) signals a bold step forward. With nearly 400 schools…

School infrastructure in the United States is in a critical condition. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), an estimated 54% of public school districts report needing upgrades or replacements for multiple building systems, such as HVAC, roofing, and structural elements. In a few states (like Idaho), the situation is compounded by laws…

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the education system faced a seismic shift. Learning loss, especially in foundational literacy, was a national crisis. In 2024, only 31% of fourth graders in the U.S. were reading proficiently, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Meanwhile, tutoring exploded as a top strategy to recover…

As education savings accounts (ESAs) gain traction across the United States, the conversation is shifting from policy debates to the complexities of implementation. Fueled by post-pandemic dissatisfaction with traditional school models and a desire for more customizable educational options, ESAs are being adopted in a growing number of states, often under “universal” frameworks. But…

As schools increasingly prioritize not just academic success but also real-world readiness, the call for career-connected learning has never been louder. With over 10% of future job growth projected in STEM fields, education systems are reimagining how to expose students, especially from under-resourced communities, to meaningful career pathways early on. So, how can schools…

As employers grapple with persistent talent shortages, the traditional requirement of a four-year degree is being challenged. In fact, a study by the Harvard Business School shows that more employers now demand four-year degrees for jobs that historically didn’t require them, despite minimal evidence of improved performance. As a result, they narrow the talent…

Amid a nationwide teacher shortage and growing calls to rethink traditional education structures, Mesa Public Schools in Arizona is pioneering a model that could reshape the future of the classroom: team teaching. At a time when 74% of U.S. public schools report difficulty filling teaching positions, Mesa’s innovative approach—emphasizing collaboration, flexibility, and personalization—offers a…

Amid a nationwide reassessment of the “college-for-all” mindset, data reveal that millions of young adults in the U.S. are neither in school nor working. This is a staggering sign that our traditional education pathways may not be serving all learners. With rising tuition costs, high dropout rates, and a rapidly evolving job market, education…