Background

Education and innovation have long been the hallmark of America's success, and keys to our democracy, economic development and way of life. With help from excellent educational educators and institutions and an enterprising spirit, the United States has led the world in innovation and technology. Today, that lead is diminishing, as our educational system struggles to produce the global citizens and knowledge-based workers with the skills to succeed in the 21st century global society.

While our educational system has made progress over time, we stand at a new crossroad. Marginal improvements in our education system are no longer sufficient: systemic change is necessary.

Meanwhile, digital information and communication technologies have flattened the world, empowered individuals and transformed most sectors of our society. Young people have welcomed technologies into their lives, their homes and their backpacks. And yet, these 21st century tools have yet to be fully leveraged by our nation's K-20 educational system to improve learning.

Key to continued success of America's citizens, society and world leadership is the revitalization of our educational systems, institutions and practices. To remain both relevant and effective in a century marked by rapid innovation and global competition, we must change our traditional education model - based on fixed time, place and pace - to a personalized model. We can best ensure equity of educational opportunity and success through a truly student-centered education system such that each student's educational path, curriculum, instruction and schedule is personalized to meet their unique needs. This educational paradigm can best be achieved through the enhanced use of new technologies. Until now, the investment in technology has led to the discovery and development of "best practices," but these success stories have not yet led to large-scale systemic change. Today, we not only have the vision, but we also have the societal imperative as well the technological means, necessary to ensure our educational system remains worthy of our nation's world-class expectations and standing.