Making It: What Today's Kids Need for Tomorrow's World

Making It will explore what young people need to make it in this evolving future, and what that means for how we educate and support them. The author will explore the four most critical “currencies” today’s young people need: credentials, competencies, connections and cash. Craftsmanship will be flagged as one that may emerge in the coming years. The currencies will be offered as an integrated set of outcomes we should expect young people to reach by the time they graduate.

Throughout the book, these currencies will be unpacked and applied to the school context. The author will share relevant stories and research in ways that draw out the need for a more integrative and interdisciplinary approach to education. The writing style will be fairly informal, making it possible for anyone in education to understand and apply to their school or community.

This book is meant as a translational and application-rich piece that uses a human-centered lens to look at everything schools must consider when they commit to preparing young people for college, work and life. It will offer practical information that can be used by teachers, principals, superintendents, school board members, parents, nonprofit leaders and state education leaders alike. The “readiness currency” frame will work in traditional K-12 settings, as well as alternative ones. This book may be a helpful resource for schools of education, social work, counseling and occupational therapy, especially for those looking for texts that offer systems and interdisciplinary approaches.

Each section of the book will end with a summary and recommendations for how to put the information and insights into practice.