How Do Schools Build Durable Skills? | Michael Crawford Chris Unger

How Do Schools Build Durable Skills? | Michael Crawford Chris Unger

July 1, 2026 · 57 min

About this episode

The episode explores how schools can help students build durable skills through innovative practices and real-world experiences.

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia is joined by Michael Crawford of America Succeeds and Chris Unger of Northeastern University to explore what it really takes to help young people build durable skills. Drawing on a 16-month study of 12 innovative high schools, they discuss how schools can make skills like collaboration, communication, and critical thinking explicit, visible, and measurable through authentic learning, reflection, advising, and real-world experiences. The conversation highlights the 3-4-3 framework for durable skills development and offers a compelling look at how student agency, professional identity, and informed career pathways are shaped when learning extends beyond the classroom. Outline (0:00) Introductions & Origin Stories (5:08) The 16-Month Research Study (32:59) Surfacing Evidence of Durable Skills (33:00) Communicating the Value of Innovative Schools (48:02) The 3-4-3 Framework Links Watch the full video here LinkedIn | Michael Crawford Linked In | Chris Unger Igniting the Flame: How Motivation Catalyzes Student Potential in Horizon 3 Education What Happens when you Launch Students' Interests into the World? Q&A with Michael…

People in this episode

Host: Mason Pashia

Guests: Michael Crawford, Chris Unger

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Organizations: America Succeeds, Northeastern University

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