Wagner, Tony

Offers a re-imagining of the American educational system by presenting parents and educators with new modes of wonder, creativity, and initiative.

Argues for an overhaul of the American education system that would shift the function and focus of schools toward promoting each student's innovation and creativity.

Reveals the importance of innovation in American global competitiveness, profiling some of today's most compelling young innovators while explaining how they have succeeded through the unconventional methods of parents, teachers, and mentors.

Argues that schools must reevaluate their current policies in order to address societal changes and help motivate students, teachers, and the community to take a more active role in education.

Argues that schools must reevaluate their current policies in order to address societal changes and help motivate students, teachers, and the community to take a more active role in education.

Examines the backgrounds of young innovators to see how they developed the creative minds to produce those innovations and examines what teachers, parents, and employers must do to develop the capacities of young people to become innovators. Includes QR Codes within the text that can be accessed using a smart phone, linking the reader to videos and other information that expands on key ideas in the book.

A critique of public education in the United States. Draws on interviews with business leaders and classroom observations to examine the gap between employers' needs for critical thinking skills and the passive learning environment common in the school system. Provides guidance for teacher, parent, and employers to work on changing the public school system.