Preparing Children for the Future

Introduction

• Importance of preparing children for future challenges.
• Overwhelming statistics raise concerns about children's readiness.

Understanding the Problem

• Need to break down overwhelming statistics into manageable data points.
• Data helps students navigate complex decisions and avoid negative outcomes.

Key Questions Parents and Educators Have

1. How are my kids doing?
2. What strategies are effective for future success?
3. Are students learning enough in a year?
4. What is the cost of making students college and career ready?

Limitations of Current Data Paradigm

• Outdated methods render data:
  • Inaccurate
  • Expensive to obtain
  • Difficult to transport
  • One-directional flow (upward only)

Comparison with Other Fields

• Other fields utilize data more effectively:
  • Healthcare: Multiple doctors, data portability
  • Business: Strategic data gathering tailored to needs
  • Law Enforcement: Data used to identify issues proactively

Proposed New Paradigm in Education

• Data should be:
  • Contextual
  • Reliable
  • Timely
  • Portable
  • Bi-directional flow
• Goal: Tailor data to assess current positions and future paths.
• Importance of real-time notifications for correcting course.

Call to Action

• Most states have the data available to address educational questions effectively.
• Emphasis on utilizing data to track children's progress.

Conclusion

• Data is crucial for informed decision-making in education.
• "Data is power" - essential to leverage for children's readiness and success.