Why IDEA?

Education affects all of us.

We know that education is important. We also know that the education system is broken. Thousands of students are checking out, stressing out, and dropping out every day. Young people who could strengthen the economy end up straining it, creating more social problems instead of solving them.

American education is increasingly driven by standardized tests instead of real-life learning and student curiosity. How does a multiple-choice test prepare students to thrive in the world?

The statistics are sobering.

Even those who do graduate are not prepared with the skills they need to thrive in a world that is changing quickly. Employers report*:

• 70% of graduates lack problem solving skills
• 73% lack leadership abilities
• 97% of employers agree that creativity is of increasing importance in the workplace

IDEA doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but we are committed to raising the questions. The voices of young people are at the heart of our change work.

American education is in dire need of transformation. Together, we can do something about it.

So what does IDEA have to do with you?

See if any of this rings true:

• You have wondered why you learn a lot of stuff in school that you don't use in your life.
• You want to make your school a more exciting and relevant place to learn, but don't know where to start or what will work.
• You want all young people -- including your own children or grandchildren -- to have a better experience with their education than you did.

Did you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions?

Then IDEA has a lot to do with you.

IDEA seeks to address the need for a credible, powerful voice in the educational reform movement. Teachers, students, parents, principals, and policy-makers need useful tools and resources that can spur real change in their communities. IDEA will provide them.

There is nothing simple or easy about making change -- especially educational change.

Together, we can bring about the meaningful educational changes we so often talk about but struggle making real.

We're counting on you to help.

*Sources: Are They Really Ready to Work? (Casner-Lotto et al, 2006) and Ready to Innovate (Lichtenberg et al, 2008).