Most Likely to Succeed

Preparing Our Kids for the New Innovation Era

By: Tony Wagner, Ted Dintersmith

Narrated by: Holter Graham

The basis for a major documentary, two leading experts sound an urgent call for the radical reimagining of American education so we can equip students for the realities of the 21st-century economy.

“If you read one book about education this decade, make it this one” (Adam Braun, bestselling author and founder of Pencils of Promise).

Today more than ever, we prize academic achievement, pressuring our children to get into the “right” colleges, have the highest GPAs, and pursue advanced degrees. But while students may graduate with credentials, by and large they lack the competencies needed to be thoughtful, engaged citizens and to get good jobs in our rapidly evolving economy. Our school system was engineered a century ago to produce a workforce for a world that no longer exists. Alarmingly, our methods of schooling crush the creativity and initiative young people really need to thrive in the 21st century.

Now bestselling author and education expert Tony Wagner and venture capitalist Ted Dintersmith call for a complete overhaul of the function and focus of American schools, sharing insights and stories from the front lines, including profiles of successful students, teachers, parents, and business leaders. Their powerful, urgent message identifies the growing gap between credentials and competence—and offers a framework for change.

Most Likely to Succeed presents a new vision of American education, one that puts wonder, creativity, and initiative at the very heart of the learning process and prepares students for today’s economy. “In this excellent book...Wagner and Dintersmith argue...that success and happiness will depend increasingly on having the ability to innovate” (Chicago Tribune), and this crucial guide offers policymakers and opinion leaders a roadmap for getting the best for our future entrepreneurs.

Long on Analysis. Short on Solutions

A very good analysis of the craziness of education but at the end of the day it will still be a race, and those who are lucky and take advantage of their privilege will be ahead.

The Future is Now. We can all make a difference

Tony Wagner has a unique ability to weave in statistics into the story. It is an intriguing book with a call to action for everyone to make a difference.

One of most powerful Ed reads yet!

Riveting, powerful look at today's education. We have work to do & it isn't what legislatures are requiring.

Life changing read...

This book will definitely be on my retread list! I
There are so many parts that I must go back to listen to again, as I want to incorporate them into my reimagining my daily work with educators. Undoubtedly, my work as an educational leader will be impacted for the better by having read this book! I'm fearful, yet elated for the change that I hope to have on others working with our children. There is truly promise and significant substance contained in the pages of this book. Thank you, Dr. Tony & Dr. Ted!

Profoundly sobering and inspiring

Anyone who finishes this book and remains unconvinced that everything must change in our approach to teaching our kids, then well, you must be brain dead.

This is also a brilliant summary of how we got here and the bureaucratic momentum we have to overcome.