The ExcelinEd National Summit on Education convenes the nation’s leaders in education policy to share what works, what doesn’t and what’s next in education policy. This year’s event hosted more than 1,200 legislators, state superintendents, policymakers and advocates in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring keynote speeches from ExcelinEd founder and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; authors Dr. Jonathan Haidt, Richard Reeves, and Arthur Brooks; Khan Academy CEO Sal Khan; and Moral Courage Project founder Irshad Manji.
ExcelinEd is a national nonprofit transforming K-12 education to ensure success for every child with student-centered, state-based policy solutions. The organization collaborates with partners and education leaders to research, develop and implement policies that prioritize early literacy, empower families with education choice, expand innovation, strengthen school performance and prepare students to transition from education to the workforce.
Jeb Bush, ExcelinEd Chairman and 43rd Governor of Florida, shares his vision for transforming education with proven policies that close learning gaps, expand opportunity, build pathways to in-demand jobs and more. This session was moderated by Ian Rowe, Founder of Vertex Partnership Academies.
Bestselling author and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt shares research findings from his upcoming book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. He addresses the many unsettling connections between social media and the wellbeing of today’s students—with a call to action to rescue our kids. This session was moderated by Hanna Skandera, CEO of The Daniels Fund.
Education innovator and entrepreneur Sal Khan leads an insightful conversation on artificial intelligence (AI) and its rapidly unfolding place in American society, from colleges & universities to the workplace to our children’s K-12 classrooms. He explores how and where AI can enhance student learning and support educators, such as Khanmigo does—without unravelling education itself. This session was moderated by ExcelinEd Board Member and former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Harvard professor and bestselling author Arthur Brooks brings an inspirational message about living a strong, joyful and impactful life—and what that means to those of us working to transform education. He draws on the latest in behavioral social science research, ancient wisdom and historical analysis and provides an uplifting roadmap for success and fulfillment. This session was moderated by ExcelinEd Board Member and former U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
Author and researcher Richard Reeves addresses the complex and troubling challenges facing today’s male students, with timely insights from his acclaimed book, Of Boys and Men, on the issues of masculinity, new norms in school and the workplace and preparing boys to succeed in a changing, more equitable society. This session was moderated by Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner.
Irshad Manji, founder of the Moral Courage® Project, provides an evidence-based toolkit to turn heated issues into healthy conversations and effective teamwork. Manji shows how moral courage and transforming our conversation skills are profound tools that have the power to create a culture of civility, diversity and inclusion. This session was moderated by ExcelinEd Board Member and former New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez.