Getting Smart Podcast 266 - Jeb Bush on Digital Learning Now!
In today’s episode, Tom is sitting down with former Governor Jeb Bush, to discuss all things digital learning.
Bush served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 until 2006. After leaving office, he formed and still chairs the Foundation for Excellence in Education also known as ExcelinEd. The national non-profit organization focuses on state education policy and continues the important work that Bush championed in Florida. In 2010, Bush launched Digital Learning Now, a policy roadmap for the future of education. With his co-chair, former West Virginia Governor, Bob Wise, an all-star group of 100 advisors was formed. And after 100 conversations in 100 days, a policy platform for the future was unveiled. The 10-point platform stressed access to personalized digital learning for all students, including take-home devices and broadband for all teachers and all learners. States and school districts that follow Digital Learning Now’s advice have been serving students well and were well-prepared when the pandemic closed schools back in March.
Tune in to listen in to Tom and Jeb Bush’s conversation around digital learning and the initiatives he is driving forward with ExcelinEd and Digital Learning Now!
Key Takeaways:
[:10] About today’s episode with Jeb Bush.
[1:22] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Jeb Bush to the podcast!
[1:31] Jeb Bush shares his take on the current impact COVID-19 is having on the world.
[4:19] The silver lining from massive disruption.
[5:21] How only two months into the school closures the benefits of digital learning have been made apparent.
[5:55] How Jeb Bush’s early views on education were formed, what he learned from visiting schools across America, and how he began to appreciate how technology could assist in serving children (in regards to education) better.
[8:49] How Florida’s biggest districts have weathered this crisis through Jeb’s leadership, his team, and their partnerships.
[13:32] Going in the ‘Wayback machine,’ Jeb reflects on how the conversation between him and Tom about developing a new education policy framework came about in 2010.
[15:56] About the Getting Through microsite.
[16:34] Why Digital Learning Now’s first three of the ‘10 Elements of High-Quality Digital Learning’ (1. Student Eligibility 2. Student Access and 3. Personalized Learning) are especially relevant and important today.
[18:17] Important, key elements of a high-quality education system (from DLN’s 10 elements): 5. Quality Content 6. Quality Instruction 7. Quality Choice 8. Assessment and Accountability.
[20:26] Why this idea of ‘students progress based on demonstrated competency’ is so important to Jeb and ExcelinEd.
[23:52] Challenges with the existing education system.
[26:19] The progress regarding infrastructures supporting digital learning.
[28:28] What’s next for ExcelinEd.
[30:37] Tom thanks Jeb for joining the Getting Smart podcast!
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd)
The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes — and Why, by Amanda Ripley
GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Digital Learning Now’s 10 Elements of High-Quality Digital Learning
For More on How Florida Districts are Coping with COVID-19, Check-Out:
Getting Smart Ep. 255: “Dan Gohl on Leading in Crisis”
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