Futurists Agree: Education must prepare students for jobs that don’t exist, to work with tools that haven’t been created, and to solve problems that haven’t been identified. The only thing certain about the future is that it is uncertain.
To many, this notion is alarming. Here at Colorado Succeeds, we embrace this new reality and the opportunity it provides.
The pace of change is accelerating at an exponential rate. The needs of learners are becoming more complex and their interests increasingly more diverse. We find ourselves in a world where learners must develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to succeed in an uncharted future and adapt to a dynamically changing world.
Our call is clear: Engage the business community to support the creation of agile learners and agile systems ready to meet the needs of an evolving workforce.
We began 2018 with the unveiling of the Vision 2030 Framework: The Future of Education in Colorado. This model, developed in partnership with our members, outlines the transferable competencies and educational experiences students need and the system principles we must support for learners to succeed in this Age of Agility.
Here’s a look back on how we collectively put the Vision 2030 Framework into action in 2018. We can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store.
Onward.
Exerting Influence
What If Colorado Schools Were #1?
A Business Guide for Colorado’s Next Governor
This initiative included voter polling, an employer survey, an economic impact study, and a robust interactive website that contained gubernatorial candidate responses to questions about our education priorities.
250 Employers
Surveyed
20 Business
Partners Engaged
7 out of 8 Candidates Completed the Coalition Survey on Education
“In our industry we place high value on industry credentials and work-based learning experience. It gives us the confidence we need to know that they have the skills required to get the job done.”
Demand Increases for
Career Success Program
Colorado Succeeds supported legislation incentivizing industry credential attainment. Due to the overwhelming demand, the program was extended for 5 years. High school students in Colorado have earned over 9,000 credentials in just two years. The majority of credentials earned were in skilled trades, technical services, STEM, and IT.
Policy By the Numbers
$10 million
allocated to address teacher shortage
$5.5 million
for equitable funding for charter schools
$2 million
for AP coursework and incentivized credentials
15 policies
we supported signed into the law
INSPIRING SYSTEMS CHANGE
In order to prepare students for an unknown future education must connect with industry. We exposed our members to the growing success of quality work-based learning opportunities and how they can have an impact by hosting educators within their respective businesses or setting up high school apprenticeships through our network partners. Creating student experiences that make curriculum relevant and school engagement worthwhile can only become a reality through intentional collaboration.
Colorado STEM in 2018
“Colorado Succeeds’ understanding of the education landscape is statewide and rooted in systems change. Because of this, it’s one of the best investments we make in STEM education.”
The Colorado Roadmap to Work-Based Learning
The Colorado STEM Champions led in the development of a web-based tool to support the expansion and development of high-quality career exploration and pathway opportunities connecting stakeholders to ideas, resources, and one another.
The 2018 Agility Delegation Trip
35 business leaders joined us for a 3-day trip to the Bay Area to develop a deeper understanding of what innovation in education looks like outside of Colorado.
“Together, industry and education can create flexible learning experiences that center around the student and allow for self-agency and direction over their own learning. Learning that is competency based and focused on mastery, rather than time.”
As leaders we need to become advocates for an education system that works for all kids. Business can serve as an incubator to ensure our ecosystem is seeded with new ideas.
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP BY THE NUMBERS
35 Delegates
to Silicon Valley
100 Roadmap
Partners
18 Schools
Visited
15 STEM
Champions
REWARDING IMPACT & INNOVATION
The Succeeds Prize
For the second year, Colorado Succeeds partnered with 9NEWS and mindSpark Learning to host The Succeeds Prize to honor and reward exceptional educators, showcasing excellence and impact in Colorado schools.
“We’d like to thank the Colorado business community for taking the time and making the effort to recognize educators in our state.”
Our students learn geometry and construction that culminates in building a home for Habitat for Humanity. Our goal is to bring contextual learning in math to as many high schools or middle schools as possible in our state.
THE SUCCEEDS PRIZE BY THE NUMBERS
$150,000
Awarded
1,000
Attendees
2.31 Million
People Reached