What is the Solution?

• Achieve the highest global academic standards and continually improve content that is included in those standards.
• While supporting academic rigor and foundations, endeavor to maintain qualities that are uniquely American - specifically nurturing the Entrepreneurial Spirit.
• Issues facing this world are not strictly academic or economic:  it is imperative to establish high expectations for students not just in regard to what they know, but who they are.  Emotional intelligence must be valued at a level at least equal to academic intelligence.
• The creation of authentic and intentional communities strategically focused on academic rigor, character and leadership development, as well as community strength and service is critical to America's continued position as a world superpower.

Establish a national model school to embody these objectives; to continuously innovate academic content: to employ academic objectives in the context of community service; to imbue children with a lifelong love of learning....Aspen Academy.

Trends in Education

Recently published national studies highlight the importance of strong educational programs in the elementary grade level throughout college to ensure the vitality of the United States economy, to sustain our national security, as well as to maintain our global leadership in innovation and research.

Asian countries have made great advances in education during the last 50 years, in most instances surpassing the United States in student achievement.  The economic and social impact of the downward trend of American student performance is enormous. 

Education reform in the United States, however, focuses primarily on raising the "academic bar" for lower performing students by increasing math and science graduation requirements and math achievement scores.  Federal and state legislation around academic accountability displaces any efforts to support education of our brightest students. 

The future of the  United States' economy depends on a well-educated workforce.  However, the impetus for economic growth comes from the creation of ideas and innovation - - new ways of doing things. 

Source:  STEMming the Tide:  A Colorado Response to the National Crisis in STEM Education
CAGT, Center for the Education and Study of the Gifted, Talented, Creative
University of Northern Colorado

National Trends in Education

Colorado Trends in Education