Carnegie Foundation President Dr. Timothy Knowles recently joined national education leaders, governors, and policymakers at the Let’s Get Ready! To Define Success event, hosted by the National Governors Association.

The convening focused on redefining high school to better prepare students for a dynamic future, emphasizing real-world learning, career readiness, and meaningful credentials. In a compelling panel discussion, Dr. Knowles emphasized the vital role of industry in shaping education: “If we’re really thinking that part of what high school is about is building a sense of purpose and direction and agency towards career, whether that career requires postsecondary or not, then we don’t just need business involved in identifying the skills; we also need their help in identifying and building the learning experiences and the content.”

The event highlighted the power of cross-sector collaboration in transforming educational outcomes and creating learning environments that align with the real-world demands students are facing. As the Carnegie Foundation continues its mission to catalyze transformational change for all students, this national dialogue offered valuable momentum toward redefining success in high school and beyond.

Read the full recap and watch the session below: