This week on The Upsiders, Los and Bertram take a deep dive into the revolutionary changes reshaping the landscape of American education, focusing on empowering students with agency and real-world skills. We begin by exploring Sam Chaltain's vision of student freedom, defined as the space to pursue passions within a framework of interconnectedness, and his observations at Purdue Polytechnic High School.

We then examine how the XQ Competencies are transforming educational assessment, better preparing students for the complexities of adult life. Don Wettrick and the STARTed UP Foundation are mentioned as we discuss their innovative approach to fostering entrepreneurship and student agency.

Shifting our focus to workforce development, we delve into TechPoint's coalition efforts to establish robust youth apprenticeship programs, drawing inspiration from the Swiss model of education. We further explore the impactful work of the CEMETS iLAB at the Richard Fairbanks Foundation, which is facilitating interest-based internships and career exploration for Indiana students.

We also reflect on a poignant moment from our sister podcast, Voices of Indianapolis, where students interviewed Kyle Hickman of Rebuilding Together, emphasizing the importance of considering potential pitfalls alongside positive outcomes. While we celebrate the upside of these educational innovations, we acknowledge the need for mindful planning and problem-solving.

Ultimately, we reinforce the crucial role of interest-based, work-based learning in bridging the gap between students and employers, and in fostering a generation of empowered, skilled, and forward-thinking individuals.

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode of The Upsiders are solely those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the individuals or organizations mentioned.

SHOW NOTES:

The Future of Learning by Sam Chaltain | Youtube

In Indianapolis, an Adventure in Magnitudes Is Reshaping the Future of School | Sam Chaltain

XQ Competencies | XQ

Connecting Classroms to the Real World | STARTedUP Foundation

Empowering the Next Generation of Business Titans | High School Hustle

Indiana leaders form coalition to build, grow youth apprenticeship | Tech Point

Mission41k | TechPoint

Can Indiana Crack the Code on Swiss-Style Apprenticeship? | WorkShift

CEMETS iLAB Indiana | Richard Fairbanks Foundation

Indiana Career Scholarship Account | State of Indiana

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