Rethinking Education Systems: David Cook on Changing Educational Paradigms

David Cook
Lead Strategist, Learning Ecosystems Design Consulting
Quotes of the Podcast: "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." — Alvin Toffler
Introduction of Guest BIO – 
With three decades working with schools, school systems, regional and state agencies and national education organizations David Cook, Principal Strategist at Learning Ecosystems Design, is an expert on what it takes to make change happen in education systems. David is a nationally respected voice in the transformation conversation. He retired in 2024 from the state agency level after 27 years at the Kentucky Department of Education, the last 15 as Director of Innovative Learning. During his tenure he has:
· Oversaw a statewide initiative to shift assessment, accountability and the credentialing of learning from a one size fits all state level approach, to one where communities design Local Accountability Models that measure the competencies found in a Portrait of a Learner/Graduate and provide a public facing dashboard for those local indicators. (2021-2024).  
·   Directed Kentucky's development of a competency-based education system including the initial efforts in developing a Portrait of a Learner
· Co-authored and implemented the first district level innovation zone program in the country, Kentucky's Districts of Innovation Program (2013). 
· Designed and implemented the longest continuously operating statewide remote learning system in the country, Kentucky's Non-Traditional Instruction Program (2011).
· Authored Kentucky's award-winning Education Recovery Program (2010).
· Has authored and co-authored numerous pieces of legislation and Kentucky Board of Education administrative regulation. 
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• The Driving Test,
• The Need for A NEW Education System
• The AI Telescope
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?”

Podcast/ website/ book shoutouts
What School Could Be - Dintersmith
The End of Average - Rose
Support the show
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions