Every person, organization and region needs to get smart— to skill up, learn more and build new capacities faster and cheaper than ever. Innovative new tools and schools are making it possible for individuals, organizations, and cities to boost learning outcomes.

As the majority of the world’s population becomes urban, cities must become centers of learning for young and old. Every person, organization and region needs to get smart— to skill up, learn more and build new capacities faster and cheaper than ever. In the long run, education is the economic development agenda. Innovative new tools and schools are making it possible for individuals, organizations, and cities to boost learning outcomes. Most learning innovations occur in ecosystems—and these unique environments begin with leadership and an innovation mindset. This combination of persistence, entrepreneurship and a collaborative focus on impact can be taught in every classroom and encouraged in every city.

Tom Vander Ark is founder of Getting Smart, an education advocacy firm, and author of Getting Smart: How Digital Learning is Changing the World. Previously he was the first Executive Director of Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and served as a public school superintendent in Washington State. Tom serves on many nonprofit boards including Charter Board Partners, iNACOL, and Imagination Foundation. www.gettingsmart.com