Exclusive: Aspen Institute maps the future of learning
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
The Aspen Institute is convening a bipartisan group to study and shape the future of American education amid significant shifts in technology and the workforce.
Why it matters: The Rising Generations Strategy Group (RGSG) goes public today, led by former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo (D) and former Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.).
- Other members include Janice Jackson, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools; Arne Duncan, former U.S. education secretary; and Aneesh Sohoni, the CEO of Teach for America.
How it works: Organized by the Aspen Institute's education-and-society program, RGSG will work over the coming year to develop recommendations to improve teaching and learning. Focuses include:
- Harnessing AI to expand and empower educators.
- Aligning the classroom experience with the real world.
- Exploring alternative models of education.
- Advancing state education governance.
What they're saying: "Artificial intelligence is changing what skills are needed and what jobs will be available," Raimondo told Axios.
- "We need to rethink how education systems coordinate with employers, so graduates have a clear path to good, AI-resilient jobs."
Friction point: Seven in 10 Americans believe the higher-education system is headed in the wrong direction, according to Pew research conducted late last year.
- That's up from 56% of Americans in 2020.
The bottom line: "For far too long, urgent education realities appear in the headlines for a moment and then fade from view," Jackson told Axios.
- "Our young people deserve more than reactive conversations and cyclical reforms."
