Education Leaders Participate in National Governors Association Initiative
Vancouver – National Governors Association (NGA) Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis convened international education leaders in Canada for the latest in a series of bipartisan events in support of the NGA Chair’s Initiative, Let’s Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success.
The Vancouver event featured discussions with education leaders from Canada, Singapore and the United States to explore international perspectives on education solutions to address achievement gaps and prepare students for career success in the global economy.
“Governors are working together to update our education systems to make sure every student is ready for the careers of today and tomorrow,” said Governor Polis. “Small adjustments on the margins aren’t enough to keep pace with the technological changes upending the job market. To give our kids the best chance to succeed, we need to think beyond the status quo to transform schools. Through the Let’s Get Ready initiative, governors are working with parents and educators not just to find new answers but to ask new questions. Collaborating with international counterparts in Canada and Singapore this week is a valuable opportunity to get a fresh perspective and learn how other nations are finding success in tackling the same challenges.”
Participants included:
- Wendi Campbell, CEO, Junior Achievement British Columbia
- Zoe Weintraub Barrett, Vice President of Workforce and Strategic Partnerships, Guild
- Dr. Brad Baker, Superintendent of Indigenous Education, Ministry of Education and Child Care, British Columbia
- Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, General Councillor and Spokesperson for Squamish Nation
- Richard Reeves, President, American Institute for Boys and Men
- Professor Tan Oon Seng, Dean of Special Projects and Centre Director, Singapore Centre for Character and Citizenship Education at the National Institute
- Dr. Vicki Phillips, CEO, National Center on Education and the Economy
- Dr. Timothy Knowles, President, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Launched in July, Let’s Get Ready is a yearlong initiative designed to support the nation’s governors in driving innovative education policies that better evaluate outcomes for state investments in education and improve outcomes for learners at all stages of their education journey while also preparing students to meet the future needs of the workforce.
Previous convenings were held in Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, New York City and Washington, D.C.
Governor Polis will release a roadmap of initiative findings this summer, during NGA’s Summer Meeting in Colorado Springs, July 24-25.
