In just two short weeks, we will be heading to Seattle, Washington, for the 8th annual Ready by 21 National Meeting. Every year, the National Meeting brings together hundreds of leaders from around the country who are working to get all young people ready by 21 - for college, work and life.

Our nation is at a turning point: We now understand that social, emotional and cognitive development underpins children's academic learning. This breakthrough understanding about how people learn is fueling a growing movement to educate children as whole people, with social and emotional as well as academic needs.