By: Misty Chandler
The Real World Learning (RWL) ecosystem will come together to collaborate and learn together during the District Planning Summit, April 16. Like the RWL Conference in February, it will be about moving our collective work forward to make Market Value Asset attainment accessible for more and more students across the Kansas City region, which straddles the state line between Kansas and Missouri.
The collaboration that is a hallmark of Real World Learning – among school and district leaders, administrators, educators, curriculum leaders, and business, industry, and community partners – is truly uncommon. I think it boils down to a commitment to work together for the collective impact of reimagining high school for every student, so that their high school experience prepares them for life and learning.
During the RWL conference, I saw how this community-driven initiative creates unique space for collaboration when we had state education commissioners from Missouri and Kansas take the stage for a fireside chat. We brought together two people who had never met, from two states that operate in very different ways, yet there were shared values and expectations, and support for embedded professional experiences in high school curriculum.
Missouri Deputy Commissioner of Learning Services Kelli Jones speaks at the Real World Learning Conference 2026.
“I do think students have the buy-in when it comes to this Real World Learning,” said Missouri Deputy Commissioner of Learning Services Kelli Jones. “It’s hands-on; they see the value of it. They want to come to school every day. It goes back to that realistic, real-life experience.”
She also stressed the importance of educators being able to get out of the classrooms to connect with those in the workforce. “Go learn, see what’s out there,” she said. “I would encourage each and every one of you. Educators, go talk to business and industry, your chambers, any leadership, see what our kids need in your region, in your communities.”
Commissioner Randy Watson from the Kansas Department of Education also underlined the importance of connecting education to what employers say they need for their present and future workforce. “Hard skills” are necessary, but he said it’s the durable skills outlined in Real World Learning’s 10 outgrowths that employers are looking for in successful hires.
It’s those skills that equip students with what they need to navigate the world after high school.
Kansas Department of Education Commissioner Randy Watson speaks at the Real World Learning Conference 2026.
“…You’re transitioning a young person into young adulthood and that transition above all else is, ‘Can I advocate for myself and start taking direction or be proactive at directing my future?’ Watson said. “I think being proactive and advocating for oneself and being self-directed is the skill that is lifelong and can go across any occupation.”
Students are energetic about the idea of being joyfully and gainfully employed. We see this with students engaged in Real World Learning in every corner of the six-county metro. So, put it on a t-shirt: students joyfully and gainfully employed is what we’re chasing.
“When we’re all on the same page, and we’re all driving the train the same direction, it’s a good thing,” Jones said. “And this is a great opportunity, in my mind, to showcase exactly what we’re doing out there and let these kids be champions.”
This post is originally from Real World Learning.
