My mother’s mission upon learning of her pregnancy with my twin brother and me was to provide us with everything she never had. She wanted to open the world beyond Chicago and expose us to as many experiences and opportunities as possible. Growing up, we were busy kids.

Readiness. Quality. Equity.

These heady words are shorthand for big, complex ideas that, when activated, can change the odds that children, especially our most vulnerable children, will get the opportunities they need to succeed in life.

Jonathan Raymond, President of the Stuart Foundation, has spent his career working to transform the way we perceive learners and the learning environment. By taking on challenges while providing a reliable safety net of support, Jonathan's educational philosophy allows kids to develop resilience, respect, and a drive for self-improvement.

The Forum for Youth Investment recently brought together senior career federal government staff and leaders from nongovernmental organizations to hear about two promising approaches that utilize evidence-based practices as opposed to evidence-based programs.

Schools across the country are re-opening their doors this month to begin a new school year.  This is a time that should be full of promise. But due to the current climate in this country, it is also one of fear and divisiveness.

Lots of people are talking about the importance of ensuring that students have social and emotional skills needed to be college and career ready. Too often, however, the focus is on what it takes to teach young people these skills.

Imagine this scenario. A smiling five-year-old is brought into a bare room with a table. On the table is a plate with a single marshmallow. The researcher who brought them in says she will back in 15 minutes, and gives them a choice: they can eat the one marshmallow while she’s gone or wait until she returns and have two.

I don’t want to go to any more celebrations in which young people are given “beat the odds” awards to acknowledge the individual commitment they have made to overcome obstacles.