Prepare Our Kids for Life, Not Standardized Tests | Ted Dintersmith | TEDxFargo

As a leading venture capitalist, Ted Dintersmith lived and breathed the world of innovation. He has seen first-hand how quickly automation is eliminating the structured jobs in our economy, as well as the opportunities for young adults who are bold, creative, and entrepreneurial. As Ted shifted his focus to the future of our schools, he realized that the core purpose of our schools has been lost in a wave of testing, data, and accountability. In this talk, Ted underscores the potential for our kids and our country if we educate to our innovative and creative strengths, and trust our schools and teachers to prepare our kids for life, instead of for standardized tests.


Ted is a Partner Emeritus with Charles River Ventures, a leading early-stage venture capital firm. Independent industry analysts ranked Ted as the top-performing venture capitalist in the United States for the 1995-99 period. Ted earned a Ph.D. in Engineering from Stanford University, and his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary, where he earned High Honors in Physics and English.

[sophieosu]

This is what I hate about school
They don't teach us some of the most important things of life

[maura_the_rose]

Now if you'll excuse me, I must go complete three completely irrelevant homework assignments that will eat up about three hours of my time.

[randomdude]

I’m 17 and a senior in high school. I’m going to college in a few months. How do I do my taxes? How do I buy a car? How do I get a mortgage? Where do I pay my taxes? I don’t know. But I do know how to solve for x in a basic math equation. Thanks public school system. I can take state tests and the SAT.

[mertellabrown]

I support this. My son is 16 and he is quitting school, he attends Jamaica College in Kingston, Jamaica. He is a Science major, (A's and B's). He said school is not stimulating his creative mind. He writes books, and draws cartoon series. When he said he was not going university I was hurt.. (i went), but after his explanation I understood and believe it or not, I support. At 16 he also says he wants a job that allows him time with his family. I was impressed he was thinking so deep re: family.
Guys, what I'm saying is, school is good (for social skills, some sort of structure, and if done properly thinking skills) but it is not the end or ultimate space.
Critical thinking is not taught in schools. Sad.

[rowan]

One of the big reasons the school system is bad is because they don't teach kids to ask why. Why are we learning about Shakespeare instead of basic first aid? Why don't we learn about taxes instead of calculus

[CoachOfDreams]

"...make the center of education be inspiration and engagement and trust and purpose.." Amen! Too much focus on cookie cutter tests than developing individual strengths/skills, and creativity.

[HHHPedigrees]

Schools teach obedience and force students to work for the elite. They teach you that the most success you can get is to work for a respectable company as a employee making more money for the CEOs.

[audreycordova]

Hey everyone in the comment section. :) Im a 13 year old middle schooler. My dream career for life has and probably always will be to be an artist. Now, what do artists actually do? I can go on and on, typing about all the physical ways an artist can be an artist. Digital, traditional, charcoal, watercolor, sculpting, photography, etc. .. But what does an artist., ACTUALLY do? Well... they tell a story, and idea. And idea that they would personally and emotionally like to tell to others. To inspire, insight, or even just to make someones day. Now-theres been a question that I've always really wanted to ask all my teachers. And that question is: "Why is it that kids go to school, expecting to tell stories, inspire people, and have a happy life, but always end up screwing on caps to toothpaste in a factory or something instead of what they love?"

[sofiasilva]

"Why are schools teaching us to be people from the past instead of letting us be unique and find other ways to be successfully in life?" The quote of my life 😐

[charliet]

It's sad. Children don't have time to be children because of school.

[maura_the_rose]

The American education system is by far one of the worst I've ever seen in a developed country. Then again, I have to live with it, so that might be affecting my opinion on the matter. Sometimes I just step back and wonder. . .what on *earth* is going through people's heads when they make these tests?

[xxrainbowbrine]

A. I spend about 80% of my free time doing homework.
B. We need to be taught how to pay taxes and apply for jobs. Not what a mitochondria is.

[durpddurke]

Doing homework is basically beating a dead horse

[knaasz]

As an educator and a parent, thank you Ted Dintersmith for the change that you are trying to bring about. I am fortunate to have children that do well on standardized tests but it takes up too much time and should not be the main measure. As a professor, I have witnessed how harmful it is to 'teach to the test' as it encourages memorization rather than critical thinking and application of concepts. The real-world is complex and solutions do not come in multiple-choice formats. Let's prepare our students for a balanced life and career.

[tucansam]

we want to learn, we should want to learn, school kills all of that

[JackieMancilla]

Spread this thing around people! This is golden!

[xAmySingsx]

my exams start in one week and I'm sat watching videos about how they're probably never going to help me after sixth form, motivated is obviously sky high😂

[thewholeroll]

The worst part of the school year is SBAC and finals. HOPE YOU REMEMBERED EVERY USELESS BIT OF INFO IN THE YEAR!

[RJMx-zznq]

I comply agree with Mr. Dintersmith. Get this message out there. We have the tools, Khan Academy, The Teaching Company, ITunesU, YouTube, etc. we have the people, we have the talent, we have the resources. Our motivation is the future of our children, the future of this once great nation (USA), the future of this world and our own vested self interest. Get invested in education, get interested in the possibilities of applied knowledge in what works and doesn't work in education. I think this talk goes a long way toward opening a dialogue about where we are now, where we're headed, where we should be headed and how we are going to get there. I'm looking forward to seeing this documentary and putting my energy into the future of education for the children I want to have. Go USA if we can do it "right" or a lot better we will set an example for the world worth following.

[farhanaahmed]

I find it sad that I feel like I have to drag myself to class rather than being enthused to go to class