On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia is joined by Michael Crawford of America Succeeds and Chris Unger of Northeastern University to explore what it really takes to help young people build durable skills. Drawing on a 16-month study of 12 innovative high schools, they discuss how schools can make skills like collaboration, communication, and critical thinking explicit, visible, and measurable through authentic learning, reflection, advising, and real-world experiences. The conversation highlights the 3-4-3 framework for durable skills development and offers a compelling look at how student agency, professional identity, and informed career pathways are shaped when learning extends beyond the classroom.

Outline

(0:00) Introductions & Origin Stories
(5:08) The 16-Month Research Study
(32:59) Surfacing Evidence of Durable Skills
(33:00) Communicating the Value of Innovative Schools
(48:02) The 3-4-3 Framework

Links

Watch the full video here
LinkedIn | Michael Crawford
Linked In | Chris Unger
Igniting the Flame: How Motivation Catalyzes Student Potential in Horizon 3 Education
What Happens when you Launch Students' Interests into the World?
Q&A with Michael Crawford (Youth Today)
Chris Unger - A Revolution in Education Podcast
America Succeeds
Northeastern University Graduate School of Education