Ep 33: Do Students Need a Year 13 to Get What they are Currently Missing in Boston Public Schools?
On today’s episode of Catalysts for Change, Jill talks to Sarah Cherry Rice, founder and Executive Director of Digital Ready and Year 13, aiming to support students in Boston and prepare them to thrive in a diverse, vibrant economy. An innovator in the education sector, Sarah’s work with Digital Ready seeks to break down systemic barriers that historically have prevented many from achieving social mobility and access from high paying jobs in Boston and ultimately rethink K-12 education.
As a former teacher, district administrator, and social entrepreneur, Sarah brings innovative thinking of urban public school districts. Before working with Digital Ready, she worked at IDEO to launch an initiative to help public school districts build cultures of creativity and innovation, where teachers and students are empowered to create change. Sarah previously launched Parachute Teachers out of The Harvard Innovation Lab, a start-up that brings community members and industry experts into classrooms as part-time facilitators to generate high quality, real-world learning.
Digital Ready aims at preparing the next generation of innovators for Boston — students will become artificial organ designers, massive 3D printed building designers, biomimicry engineers, and more. This year marked the launch of Year 13, a post-secondary year for students in Boston to gain real world experience and provide access in a growing field. In partnership with the Wentworth Institute of Technology and multiple organizations and companies, Year 13 participants leave the program with 18 college credits, a headstart on a Bachelor of Science degree, and access to high paying jobs in Boston’s innovative economy.
If you’d like to read more about Sarah’s work at Digital Ready, please visit the links below:
Digital Ready and Year 13 Links:
Digital Ready website
Digital Ready Values