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Keaton Katic
December 3, 2024

Growth over Grades S3E9: The Road to Future-Ready with Michael Crawford

In this episode of Growth Over Grades, Jordan sits down with Michael Crawford, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at America Succeeds. Together, they explore the transformative impact of prioritizing durable skills in teaching and learning. Drawing from his own experience, Michael shares valuable advice for leaders and educators striving to adopt skills-based approaches in education.

Episode Highlights

00:01:00 - Michael’s North Star

00:07:40 - Bridging Education and Workforce

00:12:57 - Beyond Test Scores to Lifelong Skills

00:19:07 - Shift to Durable Skills

00:34:48 - Overcoming Challenges

00:47:20 - Leading the Shift

00:52:20 - Looking to the Future

Michael’s North Star

Michael shares “I’ve always believed that people can be better. I’ve always wanted to be in the get better business—whatever that means!” True to this belief, he dedicated his career to helping people and systems improve. With a master’s in sports psychology and a PhD in educational psychology, Michael has focused on youth development, non-traditional learning, and workforce readiness. His diverse career spans youth sports, non-profits, ed-tech, and his current role as VP of Strategic Initiatives at America Succeeds, where he bridges education and business to prepare young people with the future-ready skills they need for the workforce.

Bridging Education and the Workforce

America Succeeds, a Denver-based non-profit, operates at the intersection of education and workforce development. Michael explains, “We heard from businesses all the time that they were having challenges finding professionals, workers, and employees with the kinds of skills they needed to thrive as businesses.” In response, the organization shifted its focus to promoting “durable skills”—critical soft skills and 21st-century competencies like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, which rank among the most sought-after by employers. Michael notes that, by creating a shared lexicon for educators, leaders, learners, and employees, America Succeeds empowers individuals to develop and articulate these skills, enhancing economic mobility and workplace readiness.

Beyond Test Scores to Durable Skills

Michael shares, “Human beings are complex. We are much more than test scores.” The Portrait of a Learner redefines what students should know and be able to do upon graduating, and America Succeeds aligns closely with this forward-thinking concept. While academics remain important, Michael emphasizes that this approach prioritizes a more holistic view of student development, focusing on durable skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. By championing these essential, lifelong skills, America Succeeds helps expand traditional education priorities and shape a more well-rounded vision of learning. This alignment not only supports individual growth but also reimagines teaching and learning to better prepare students for their futures.

Shifting Toward Durable Skills

As the focus shifts toward durable skills, education is undergoing significant change. Michael observes, “If teachers have leadership that is OK with breaking the mold, they stick around. Unfortunately, too often, educators who see the value of a more holistic, durable skills-based approach are required to stay the course—and they often leave the profession.” Fortunately, many schools are moving beyond a sole emphasis on academics to prioritize critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. Michael explains that, by adopting competency-based and project-based learning, high schools are engaging students in meaningful ways, emphasizing performance rubrics, reflections, and self-assessments. This shift gives students greater ownership of their education, empowering them to connect aspirations to their daily experiences and take charge of their learning journeys.

Overcoming the Challenges of Durable Skills

Michael acknowledges that shifting toward durable skills presents challenges, noting, “Most young people are moving through a system that looks very similar in lots of ways to the system their parents and the adults teaching them experienced.” He explains, overcoming entrenched mindsets about rigid schedules, standardized tests, and age-grade separations requires a cultural shift. Schools also face hurdles like limited resources, inadequate professional development, and technology constraints. To address these, Michael suggests fostering a growth-focused culture, investing in professional development, and collaborating with legislators and state education departments to drive policy changes.

Leading the Shift

For leaders shifting to skills-based approaches to teaching or seeking buy-in, Michael stresses the importance of learning from others, explaining, “Your work as the leader is to take what you’ve seen, what you’ve heard, and what you’ve learned and translate it into your context.” Showcasing how CBL benefits students, addressing stakeholder concerns through open communication, and fostering transparency by making outcomes visible are key to building trust and support.

Looking to the Future

Michael believes that the refined focus on durable skills represents the future of K-12 education and beyond, as the conditions for achieving success have fundamentally changed. He explains, “What we were doing used to work, we think, and today it doesn’t. And not only does it not work today, but moving forward, it’s even less likely to work.” Traditional preparation methods no longer meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world, but durable skills—such as communication, critical thinking, and adaptability—transcend changes in the economy, industry, and technology. Michael emphasizes that by fostering these competencies, schools equip students to thrive in any environment, preparing them not just for their first job but for lifelong success in an unpredictable future.

If you are an educator looking to dive deeper into durable skills, explore 6 Benefits of Prioritizing K-12 Career Readiness to understand their importance.  For practical tips on adopting innovative and flexible approaches to teaching and assessing these skills, don’t miss  The Challenges of Measuring Durable Skills in K-12 Education.

Keaton Katic

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