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Most Likely to Succeed: Preparing Our Kids for the Innovation Era Paperback – August 16, 2016

4.7 out of 5 stars 353 ratings

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The basis for a major documentary, two leading experts sound an urgent call for the radical reimagining of American education so we can equip students for the realities of the 21st-century economy.

“If you read one book about education this decade, make it this one” (Adam Braun, bestselling author and founder of Pencils of Promise).

Today more than ever, we prize academic achievement, pressuring our children to get into the “right” colleges, have the highest GPAs, and pursue advanced degrees. But while students may graduate with credentials, by and large they lack the competencies needed to be thoughtful, engaged citizens and to get good jobs in our rapidly evolving economy. Our school system was engineered a century ago to produce a workforce for a world that no longer exists. Alarmingly, our methods of schooling crush the creativity and initiative young people really need to thrive in the 21st century.

Now bestselling author and education expert Tony Wagner and venture capitalist Ted Dintersmith call for a complete overhaul of the function and focus of American schools, sharing insights and stories from the front lines, including profiles of successful students, teachers, parents, and business leaders. Their powerful, urgent message identifies the growing gap between credentials and competence—and offers a framework for change.

Most Likely to Succeed presents a new vision of American education, one that puts wonder, creativity, and initiative at the very heart of the learning process and prepares students for today’s economy. “In this excellent book...Wagner and Dintersmith argue...that success and happiness will depend increasingly on having the ability to innovate” (Chicago Tribune), and this crucial guide offers policymakers and opinion leaders a roadmap for getting the best for our future entrepreneurs.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tony Wagner and Ted Dintersmith want us to stop thinking about success for our children in terms of test scores, and start concentrating on real learning, creative problem-solving, and the joy of discovery. And instead of just diagnosing the ills of our education system, they also offer a remedy in the form of a complete re-imagining of what high-quality education for all could and should be. Most Likely to Succeed is a book for everyone interested in seeing our children thrive in the 21st century.” -- Daniel H. Pink, author of DRIVE and A WHOLE NEW MIND

"Bracing, revelatory, and always backed up with hard facts,
Most Likely to Succeed should top the reading list for any teacher, parent, citizen, or high school or college student. Wagner and Dintersmith's incisive prose slices through the politics to show—without pointing fingers—how schools can refocus to prepare our children for the jobs of the future." -- Laszlo Bock, SVP of People at Google and author of WORK RULES!

"This is an urgently needed and inspiring book, with two authors who have the first-hand experience to blueprint a bridge from the schools we have to the future we need." -- Anya Kamenetz, author of THE TEST and DIY U

“A searing and urgent indictment of the damaging priorities of American education and a fully grounded, practical vision of how to re-imagine it for the world we live in now. In plain language, Ted Dintersmith and Tony Wagner tell it like it is and how it really must be if America’s students, economy and civil democracy are to survive and flourish in the 21st century. A compelling and important book.” -- Sir Ken Robinson PhD, author of "Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That's Transforming Education"

"If you read one book about education this decade, make it this one. I couldn't put it down, and neither will you." -- Adam Braun, "New York Times" bestselling author and Founder of Pencils of Promise

“Wagner and Dintersmith cut through the noise to demonstrate how our education system must move from a myopic focus on high-stakes testing to an emphasis on preparing students more holistically for life, career, college and citizenship. They call for systemic changes to ensure that teachers have the time, tools and trust they need to empower kids with a passion for learning and to teach the critical skills students will need in the 21st century economy.” -- Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers

About the Author

Tony Wagner currently serves as an Expert In Residence at Harvard University’s Innovation Lab. Previously he has worked as a high school teacher, K-8 principal, university professor, and founding executive director of Educators for Social Responsibility. Tony is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and the author of Creating Innovators and The Global Achievement Gap.

Ted Dintersmith is a partner emeritus with Charles River Ventures, a leading early-stage venture capital firm. Ted has twenty-five years of venture experience, focusing on software, information services, direct- and web-based marketing, and publishing companies. He is a frequent speaker at conferences on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 16, 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501104322
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501104329
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.91 x 5.39 x 8.31 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 353 ratings

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4.7 out of 5 stars
353 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides important insights into public education reform, with one noting how it taps into students' natural curiosity. They consider it a must-read, particularly for parents.

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34 customers mention "Information quality"34 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides important insights and is an excellent read focused on public education reform, with one customer noting how it taps into students' natural curiosity.

"...The author calls for more innovation, creativity, and tapping into a student’s natural curiosity to promote deeper and more meaningful learning...." Read more

"...But these authors put the argument forward in such a succinct, meaningful way: I recommend this to parents who are ready to send their own children..." Read more

"...A great place to start my docoral journey as well as plan how best to help my students strive to reach their full potential." Read more

"...All this is the at cutting edge of Education and also addresses the authors concern...." Read more

30 customers mention "Readability"30 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and engaging, describing it as fascinating and a must-read for parents.

"...Excellent book, highly recommend!" Read more

"This is a Must Read for all educators...." Read more

"A must read for educators looking to move out of the industrial age, factory model of education. Dr. Wagner's ideas are a must for schools today...." Read more

"...I many ways I love the intent of the book. I find the points relevant. However, the constant hyperbole is exhausting...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book is an excellent read focused on public education reform. It makes a great case for the over-standardized-testing of our students on low level skills that are taught out of context of real world examples all because these low level skills are easy to measure on a large scale.

    The author calls for more innovation, creativity, and tapping into a student’s natural curiosity to promote deeper and more meaningful learning. Innovation, problem solving skills, and creativity are higher level skills that are more difficult to assess on a large scale—they take a lot of time to grade and they require input from a group and ongoing assessment of growth.

    The author promotes not mastery of concepts, but rather measuring student growth over a set time period. The author is not a fan of SAT, ACT, or even AP (college board) exams and shows how these companies have promoted cultures of “teaching to the test” rather than teaching subjects as they are used in the real world (integrated, full of peer collaboration, and open to any available resource to arrive at innovative solutions).

    Our schools are outdated models based on the skills factory workers needed during the industrial revolution—in order to stay ahead, we need to empower our students with exposure to innovation and collaboration and we need to foster 21st century skills in the classroom.

    Excellent book, highly recommend!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2018
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This is a Must Read for all educators. We need to make sure our classrooms and schools focus attention on what is important for our students' futures. Too often schools are doing "what they've always done" instead of looking towards what we need to do. Wagner and Dintersmith emphatically ask educators to change. This is a Have To if we want our students to succeed. Way too many schools/districts continue to stress to our students, as well as stress our students, with knowledge that is not important in this day and age anymore. The skills we need to teach our students Wagner and Dintersmith lay out for all to do. Please pick up this book if you are educator and reflect upon what you are doing in your classroom with your students.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2016
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    A must read for educators looking to move out of the industrial age, factory model of education. Dr. Wagner's ideas are a must for schools today. His idea to re-imagine education is essential to move beyond the testing culture in K-12 education and even a look at how to potentially reduce the education debt crisis. After you read the book, go see the movie that goes with it: [...] In 20 years in education, this is the single biggest paradigm shift of my career. We must do better for our children.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2016
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    I teach in an independent school and I applaud this book. It falls short in that it does not adequately address how we, as a nation, can contend with the admissions boards of our country's universities. In my 25 years of teaching it seems that everything is driven by fear - fear that my child will not get into the best schools, fear that my child will not be successful, fear that my child will not be competitive, etc... In the end, what we need is a book that addresses how we reform colleges so that our nation's schools can get on with the business of educating children for lives that make a difference.
    26 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I work in higher education, and I'm familiar with the criticisms of our current system and the ways in which we should think about reform. But these authors put the argument forward in such a succinct, meaningful way: I recommend this to parents who are ready to send their own children to college, to educators, to anyone who wonders about how to move forward to educate people for the 21st century.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Assigned this book for a doctoral class and find it very informative. A great place to start my docoral journey as well as plan how best to help my students strive to reach their full potential.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2015
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Great suggestions to improve education: Be less abstract, but teach content and situations related to the demands of real life. Allow for more projects of independent learning to let students develop a passion for learning. (i.e. to learn bicycling, one doesn't have to memorize all bicycle parts. Whats important is to ride the bicycle well and safely). The authors point out that most tests requires rote learning and memorization which is no measure of the student's creativity and future success in life. SAT scores are only important get into college and have little relevance in real life. Completing a project is a better test far more related to student's ability to think, and innovate. The proof is that most famous scientists and entrepreneurs did not test well in school and that success in business does not depend on a college degree.

    The authors complain about heavy handed decisions in Washington and failed Department of Education programs, like "No Child left behind", but they miss the big picture. The government has proven itself to be incompetent in Education and should turn Education over to the innovative private sector by paying for the school of choice of the student/parent. The public school system is a monopoly and has no real incentive to improve. Lets take Education out of Political Society and put it back into Civil Society where it belongs. Private education is rapidly implementing Digital Learning, allowing more one on one student-teacher time, Some innovative schools have cut the link between
    age and what one can learn at that age. When the student shows proficiency in one subject, he/she should move on to the next, regardless of age. All this is the at cutting edge of Education and also addresses the authors concern. Public schools experimenting in these ares are far less than 1%, probably.001%. School politics will not allow schools to experiment or permit radical change. Universities adapting these new ideas are mostly private.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Rod Taylor
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read book
    Reviewed in Australia on March 14, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Unfortunately Australia is heading down the same path of standardised testing and teaching to the test. Many countries look up to American ideals and claim we will fall behind if we do not follow there lead. Hopefully, those at the top in education in Australia will learn from the mistakes highlighted in this informative text.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
    Reviewed in Canada on May 13, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Outstanding.
  • Yulynn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Does helped to shape my education view
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2019
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    The book does address n explained the current education system issues, does make me think what I can do to address the real skill that my child need to master, but I need to find out myself, the method or solution the book recommend was a change over to the whole education system, until that comes one day, we still need to find a way to survived it for now.
  • Dawood Vaid
    5.0 out of 5 stars The education book of the decade
    Reviewed in India on May 26, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The education book of the decade. The book is divided into two parts. While most of the 'education concept' book whines about the problems, this book is tad different. There is a sincere attempt to offer an alternate and a clear solution.

    I was privileged to be a part of the special screening of the movie with the same title and a message from Ted Dintersmith. The book, if used as an academic extension for the school research, can be a valuable ally in overcoming the current challenges of the school and college system.

    The topics under each academic subject, from Maths to Social studies is very well defined. I found the topic of High Education, not very relevant, but that may be because I am primary attached to the school.

    Over all a great book. I felt this was just the right book for me at this stage of my school academic career. 5 stars for sure.
  • loopywolfchild
    5.0 out of 5 stars Re-imagining Education
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A book that continues or even starts your journey in re-imagining our educational system in the U.K. and USA. Thinking differently has to start somewhere. This book is as good as any.