Waypoint partner Jocelyn Pickford recapped a recent webinar on state-reviewed curriculum and professional learning lists, stressing that state support expands—not restricts—district options. Panelists highlighted the importance of pairing high-quality materials with ongoing teacher support, using state policy to drive coherence, and updating lists regularly. The discussion also touched on waivers, incentives, and the potential role of AI. Across states, the focus is clear: strong guidance and sustained professional learning help schools deliver high-quality instruction to all students.

In the latest edition of Education Currents, Waypoint’s Jonathan Herrera explores how civics and career-connected learning can—and should—work together to prepare students for life after high school. Too often treated as separate priorities, these approaches complement each other by giving students both the voice to lead in their communities and the skills to thrive in the workforce.

Jonathan points to real-world examples like the National Civics Bee in Kansas, where middle schoolers propose solutions to community challenges, and Ohio’s career pathways programs that embed coaching, internships, and credentials into graduation requirements. Together, they show how readiness for work and readiness for citizenship are two sides of the same coin.

As Jonathan writes, the real measure of high school success isn’t just college enrollment—it’s whether students graduate ready to succeed in their careers, communities, and civic life.

Waypoint Ed Partner Jocelyn Pickford will be one of three judges for March Mathness, hosted by our partner, the Collaborative for Student Success. The judges will be deciding which math initiatives deserve to, in legendary coach Jim Valvano’s words, “survive and advance” to the next round.

Decades of parent mindset research have revealed that nine in ten parents (regardless of income, race or geography) believe their child is at or above grade level. However, data shows that academic performance of our nation’s students has reached historic lows with less than one-third of our students being proficient in reading and math. This huge disconnect is due in no small part to “good grades.” How do we build a public education system that nurtures parent teacher partnership and equips parents to advocate for their child’s learning needs?

Cindi Williams is the co-founder of Learning Heroes – a leading education nonprofit researching parent and educator mindsets, providing solutions for meaningful parent engagement at the state, district, and school levels – and the CEO of Waypoint Education Partners. As a mom and evangelist for the power of meaningful parent engagement, Cindi works to ensure each parent has an accurate picture of their child’s academic progress to fully engage as an informed advocate for their child’s learning.

Mrs. Williams’ insights are grounded in decades of experience in research, advocacy, and communications as a senior official in the White House, US Department of Education, US House of Representatives, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and a leading public policy firm, HCM Strategists. At Learning Heroes and Waypoint Education Partners, she and her partners work alongside leading nonprofits and state leaders to make our public education system more effective and equitable.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx