Shift Ed: A Call to Action for Transforming K–12 Education

"America needs a new educational vision. Shift Ed provides a clear vision that emphasizes the essential ingredients of a 21st-century education based upon creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Houle and Cobb make a great case that nothing less than transformation will be enough." —Dan Pink, Author "As an educator, I highly recommend this book on the transformation of K–12 education. Old ways, repeating the past, and no change are hallmarks of a broken system? Shift Ed outlines the case for building a new system of K–12 education." —Jerry Ice, President and CEO, Graduate School, Washington D.C. "The strength of this book is the strong case the authors make for change. They point out how our nation is falling behind in the quest for global supremacy and outline the changes needed to correct that problem." —Randel Beaver, Superintendent, Archer City ISD, TX A comprehensive guide to transforming American schools Futurist David Houle and educational strategist Jeff Cobb issue a "call to action" to everyone who is concerned about education in America. The book begins with a helpful background on the roots of American education, the current landscape, and the forces that are driving transformation. This background supports the author′s case that reinventing our system is inevitable and we already have the information and capabilities to make the necessary changes. Shift Ed challenges us to ask the right questions, expand our vision, and take action now. The book includes an overview of the educational system and expert opinions on key areas, including: Technology and connectivity Organizational behavior Curriculum Learning and the brain Infrastructure and the physical plant Shift Ed is more than a book for educators. Its message is critical for policy makers, school superintendents, education foundation executives, and parents who want to know the facts and be prepared to take the decisive action our children deserve.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Introduction 1. A Quick Look Back The Agricultural Age The Industrial Age The Information Age American Childhood Education Through the Ages 2. The Current Landscape of Education in America A System Out of Sync Not Your Forefather′s College Learning - and Relearning - to Work Holding Our Own in the Global Classroom Facing the Issues and Shifting the Vision Change Visions: From Train to Rocket 3. A Look Ahead The Shift Age The Twenty-First Century 2010 to 2020: The Transformation Decade Change Visions: The Need for New 4. Generations Baby Boomers: The Bridge Generation Generation X: A Different Voice Millennials: The Emerging Leaders Digital Natives: Today′s and Tomorrow′s Students Change Visions: Reconnecting 5. Why Transformation Is the Only Path A Change in Form A Change in Appearance A Change in Nature Signals From the Future Change Visions: The New Architecture of Learning 6. Working on the Shift Ed Vision Jim Rex Peter Renwick Janice Mattina Karen Woodward 7. Ask the Right Questions Technology and Connectivity Calendar and Operations Curriculum Learning and the Brain Infrastructure and the Physical Plant Answering the Questions Preparing Teachers Your Contribution Change Visions: Survival Skills for the Twenty-First Century 8. Expand the Vision The New Vision of Education for the Twenty-First Century Four Fundamentals for Twenty-First-Century Education 9. Start Now! The Shift Ed 21 Parting - But Not Final - Words Notes References Index

About the Author :
David Houle is a futurist, speaker, and strategist. He has been called “the CEO futurist” and “the emerging futurist in the world today.” He is the author of The Shift Age, has delivered more than 250 speeches around the world in the last three years, including numerous education conferences, and has made a commitment to help shape the vision of education for this century. Jeff Cobb is a strategist, writer, and speaker on the social and economic impact of new technologies. He has established himself as one of the leading thinkers on “Learning 2.0”?the blending of social media and open collaboration with traditional education?and is a vocal advocate of “cradle to grave” lifelong learning.

Review :
"Shift Ed's major strength is awakening Americans, especially the educational community, to the reality that change is here. We must prepare our young scholars for a global society, as opposed to past teaching and learning practices." -- Belinda J. Raines, Principal "Thanks to David for leading the charge. Shift Ed: A Call for Transformation of K-12 Education is a blueprint for getting it right in education." -- Charles Sosnik, Editor in Chief "America needs a new educational vision. Shift Ed provides a clear vision that emphasizes the essential ingredients of a 21st-century education based upon creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Houle and Cobb make a great case that nothing less than transformation will be enough." -- Dan Pink, Author "As an urban educator who is passionate about transformative international education, Shift Ed strikes a deep chord. It is a bold call to action to ensure universal student success in a globalized environment that is always changing." -- Ellen Estrada, Principal "David Houle and Jeff Cobb make a powerful case for a transformative shift in schooling, and explain what such a shift might entail. They persuasively and passionately argue that deep-rooted norms need to be fundamentally rethought in tandem with larger technological and social changes. Their vision of what the next decade might hold and their assertion that student-centered, progressive instruction is the way of the future are sure to spark smart discussion among educators, policymakers, and parents wondering what's next for schooling." -- Frederick M. Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies "As an educator, I highly recommend this book on the transformation of K-12 education. Old ways, repeating the past, and no change are hallmarks of a broken system. Shift Ed outlines the case for building a new system of K-12 education." -- Jerry Ice, President and CEO "Our future rests in the hands of our children, and these hands must be strong to accomplish this great task. Their strength will come from their education but, unfortunately, our education system is failing them. David Houle and Jeff Cobb's Shift Ed: A Call to Action for Transforming K-12 Education is a powerful voice in the honest conversation that must lead to a solution." -- Lewis Hollweg, CEO "Shift Ed challenges your educational mindset without being intimidating. I spent the entire read asking myself, "why not?" -- R. Jon Frey, Assistant Principal "We can't educate the leaders of tomorrow with yesterday's education model. Houle and Cobb offer a much needed, action-oriented, transformative vision for what K-12 education must become. It's time to stop talking and start doing. Our future depends on it." -- Rafael Pastor, Chairman of the Board & CEO "The strength of this book is the strong case the authors make for change. They point out how our nation is falling behind in the quest for global supremacy and what changes need to be brought about for that problem to be corrected." -- Randel Beaver, Superintendent "Shift Ed is a call to action. There's no doubt that the David Houle and Jeff Thomas Cobb have identified where education must go, so the question becomes how will we - as parents and educators and community leaders - get there? Shift Ed is the kind of book that makes us ask the toughest questions about how we're educating our children today, and provides a broad vision for changes we simply have to start preparing for and making today." -- Tim Sullivan, Founder "David Houle uses his vision to identify the need for transformation in education, as he has so profoundly done for us in business. Shift Ed is a must-read, and it resonates to people many levels: from citizens, taxpayers, grandparents, and family to passionate educators observing the frustrations of the system that can't effectively compete or function in today's Shift Age." -- Wallace B. Doolin, CEO Wallace B. Doolin, CEO "Provides a powerful key to changing the process of teaching. From socialcultural evolution in generations to the evolving landscape of education in America, SHIFT ED is a fine pick." -- James A. Cox, Editor in Chief