rwl action shots
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
College & Workforce Readiness Sponsor

Largest, regional high school improvement project in the U.S.

October 14, 2021 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

What might your region take away from Kansas City’s Real World Learning initiative?

Students, parents, and employers feel that a high school diploma no longer signifies graduates are prepared for the real world or the changing demands of the future of work.
But what do graduates need to be successful in life and learning after high school?

In Kansas City, education, business, civic and community leaders connect around the Real World Learning initiative to create valuable experiences for students. Together, they provide students with the skills and credentials needed to succeed in the real world, as well as providing the Kansas City region with the diverse, prepared workforce needed for a vibrant community and economy.

The goal of the Real World Learning Initiative:
Ensure that 100% of students in the Kansas City region graduate, by 2030, with one or more valuable experiences called Market Value Assets (MVA) including:

  • Work experiences: internships and client-connected projects
  • Entrepreneurial experiences: starting a business or launching an initiative
  • College credit: at least nine credits
  • Industry recognized credentials

A Case Study in Real World Learning: How Community Agreements Mobilized A Regional High School Transformation Initiative
A new case study by Getting Smart, a nationally recognized organization that focuses on accelerating and amplifying innovations in teaching and learning, says that initiative, sponsored by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, is the largest and most promising regional high school improvement project in the country.

How might your region adopt a similar model?

Read a summary, or download the full case study

Watch the 3-minute Kauffman Sketchbook

Related Tags: