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FAIRFAX FUTURES’ 3RD ANNUAL SCHOOL READINESS LEADERSHIP FORUM
Ready to Achieve: Investing Early in the Education of America’s Future Workforce
On September 22, 2009, Fairfax Futures held its 3rd annual School Readiness Leadership Forum at Capital One in McLean, Virginia.
Nearly 200 business, government, military and education leaders attended the program, which focused on why investing in the education of young children
is critical to their success and to our country’s economic and national security. The event was made possible by a generous contribution from Capital One.
Speakers throughout the morning program, including Penny Gross, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman and
Elisabeth Bresee, Capital One Managing Vice President and Chief Counsel for Policy Affairs, reiterated the importance of quality education
for families and businesses across the region.
Dr. Derek Cabrera
Dr. Derek Cabrera, President and Founder of ThinkWorks, LLC, described the shift in the economy from an industrial age to
a knowledge age and the impact this has had on the workforce. He noted that in 1900, eight in 10 jobs involved working with one’s hands, while two in 10
involved working with ideas. By 2000, the opposite was true. According to Dr. Cabrera, the top 10 jobs predicted for the year 2010 did not even exist
in 2004.
The challenge for educators in preparing children today for the as-yet-unknown jobs of the future is to strike a better balance between
emphasizing “what to know” versus “how to know,” Dr. Cabrera said. And while thinking skills can be taught at any age — from preschool to the board room —
the greatest return on investment occurs at the youngest ages.
Dr. Richard Moniuszko, Deputy Superintendent, Fairfax County Public Schools, acknowledged the challenge
of preparing the Class of 2022 – today’s kindergarteners -- for the jobs of the future, as well as the reality of a global competition for talent.
Congressman Jim Moran, a champion for early childhood education, and Dr. Jacqueline Jones,
Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Early Learning, U.S. Department of Education, focused on the importance of the first five years and in particular, on
reading aloud with young children. Dr. Jones said that learning language is the job of young children and the basis of literacy. “By age three,” she said,
“there are significant disparities in language development between children from low and high income families.”
Congressman Jim Moran
Dr. Jacqueline Jones, Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Early learning, U.S. Department of Education
Congressman Bob Etheridge, who previously served as North Carolina state superintendent of schools, said that no other
issue is as important as school readiness to the future of the nation and the economy. “It’s important to make the most of the early years, as you won’t
get a chance to do it a second time,” he said. “Children must start school ready to read, ready to learn, ready to achieve and ready to succeed.”
General H. Hugh Shelton, USA (R), 14th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
For General Hugh Shelton, USA (R), 14th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, investing in early childhood programs
is a matter of national security. “Today’s army,” he said, “is not your grandfather’s or even your father’s army.” With advanced technology at its
command, the military needs independent thinkers, people capable of problem-solving and trouble-shooting. He shared his belief that the greatest
challenge facing the U.S. Armed Forces is that too many 17-21 year-olds do not meet the basic educational and physical requirements to serve. He
noted that “early childhood education is vital” to America’s continued strength.
PHOTO SNAPSHOTS
Dr. Derek Cabrera
General H. Hugh Shelton, USA (R), 14th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Congressman Jim Moran
Dr. Jacqueline Jones, Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Early learning, U.S. Department of Education
Supervisors Penny Gross, Mason District and Catherine Hudgins, Hunter Mill District
Lis Bresee, Capital One, Dr. Laura Colosi, ThinkWorks, Charlene Wheeless, Raytheon IIS and Fairfax Futures’ Chair, Dr. Derek Cabrera, ThinkWorks
General H. Hugh Shelton,USA (R), Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Mrs. Shelton, and Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA)
Ted Austell, III, The Boeing Company and Rep. Jim Moran
Nannette Bowler, Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Dr. Tom Morris, Virginia Secretary of Education and Anne-Marie Twohie, Fairfax County Office for Children
Kim Young, Capital One and Charlene Wheeless, Raytheon IIS
All photos by Anne Lord Photography
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