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Most Likely to Succeed: Preparing Our Kids for the Innovation Era Paperback – August 16, 2016
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“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.
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 16, 2016
- Dimensions0.91 x 5.39 x 8.31 inches
- ISBN-101501104322
- ISBN-13978-1501104329
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"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
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
- Best Sellers Rank: #192,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #30 in Experimental Education Methods (Books)
- #309 in Education Administration (Books)
- #989 in Religious Leader Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
A globally recognized expert in education, Tony Wagner currently serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the Learning Policy Institute, founded by Linda Darling-Hammond in 2015. Prior to this appointment, Tony held a variety of positions at Harvard University for more than twenty years, including four years as an Expert in Residence at the Harvard Innovation Lab and the founder and co-director, for more than a decade, of the Change Leadership Group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His previous work experience includes twelve years as a high school teacher, K-8 principal, university professor in teacher education, and founding executive director of Educators for Social Responsibility.
Tony is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and a widely published author. His work includes numerous articles and seven books, including three best-sellers: Most Likely To Succeed: Preparing Our Kids for The Innovation Era, co-authored by Ted Dintersmith, was published by Scribner in 2015. Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change The World, was published in 2012 to rave reviews and has been translated into 17 languages. His 2008 book, The Global Achievement Gap continues to be an international best seller, with more than 140,000 copies in print. Tony’s memoir, Learning By Heart: An Unconventional Education, will be published by Penguin/Random House in 2020.
Tony served as the Strategic Education Advisor for a major new education documentary, “Most Likely to Succeed,” which had its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and has since been shown in more than 8000 communities. He also collaborated with noted filmmaker Robert Compton to create a 60 minute documentary, “The Finland Phenomenon: Inside The World’s Most Surprising School System.”
Tony earned an M.A.T. and an Ed.D. at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
To contact Tony and for the latest news, go to tonywagner.com
After his career in innovation, Ted Dintersmith is now focused on issues at the intersection of innovation and education. He supports initiatives that improve the life prospects of youth around the nation and globe. He was the executive producer of the acclaimed documentary Most Likely to Succeed. Along with thought leader Tony Wagner, he co-authored the top-selling book Most Likely to Succeed: Preparing Our Kids for the Innovation Era. During the 2015/16 school year, he went to all fifty states, visited 200 schools, and met with thousands of people involved with U.S. education. His new book, What School Could Be, is an inspiring account of what he learned through this de Toquesville-esque immersion in education across America.
In the fall of 2012, Ted served as part of the delegation representing the United States at the United Nations General Assembly, where he focused on global education and entrepreneurship.
He's a Partner Emeritus with Charles River Ventures, a leading early-stage venture capital firm. Ted served on the Board of the National Venture Capital Association, chairing its Public Policy Committee. Independent industry analysts ranked Ted as the top-performing venture capitalist in the United States for the 1995-99 period. Prior to venture capital, he was a senior executive at Analog Devices, and worked for two years on Capitol Hill on science and technology policy. Ted earned a Ph.D. in Engineering from Stanford University, and his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary, where he earned High Honors in Physics and English.
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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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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
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
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2018Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis 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!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2018Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseThis 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2016Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseA 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2016Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseI 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2017Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAssigned 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, 2015Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseGreat 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.
Top reviews from other countries
- Rod TaylorReviewed in Australia on March 14, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read book
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseUnfortunately 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 CustomerReviewed in Canada on May 13, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseOutstanding.
- YulynnReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Does helped to shape my education view
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseThe 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 VaidReviewed in India on May 26, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars The education book of the decade
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThe 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.
- loopywolfchildReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Re-imagining Education
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA 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.