How Can Policy Transform Education for the Future? | Jon Alfuth & Julianna Charles Brown

Getting Smart Podcast

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Rebecca Midles sits down with Jon Alfuth and Julianna Charles Brown from KnowledgeWorks to explore the "how" behind transforming education systems. The conversation dives deep into the importance of state policy frameworks, personalized learning, and competency-based education to create future-ready systems. They discuss the role of a shared vision, like a Portrait of a Graduate, in driving systemic change and aligning policy with practice. With examples from states like Montana and Washington, this episode highlights how flexible learning pathways and transferable skills can prepare students for an uncertain future. Tune in to learn about the intersection of policy, practice, and innovation, and discover how systems can be reimagined to better serve learners.

Outline

• (00:00) Introduction and Vision for Education
• (13:16) Policy Framework Overview
• (19:32) Implementing Policy Changes
• (26:06) Flexible Learning Pathways
• (32:33) State Examples and Success Stories
• (35:04) Lightning Round Q&A

Links

• Read the full blog here
• Watch the full video here
• LinkedIn | Jon Alfuth
• LinkedIn | Charlie Brown
• Jon Alfuth | KnowldegeWorks
• Charlie Brown | KnowledgeWorks
• KowledgeWorks