The “future-ready” movement seeks to increase digital learning tools in schools. Although the focus of the effort is on school leaders, that doesn’t mean that a parent can’t be future-ready. And it is certainly the case that a learner would benefit from having a future-ready parent. So what does a future-ready parent look like? They have four characteristics:

1. They recognize that not all education technology improves learning. A company can make a wide variety of claims, but the evidence may not back up the marketing department’s promises. Most businesses often commission and release their own research touting their success, but this research may not meet the standards for academic research. So, the future-ready parent must carefully assess education technology to ensure that their kids use materials that will benefit them.

2. Wise parents know that although education technology is not the same as playing a video game, there are still concerns about kids having too much screen time. Although the best education technology can help learners develop vital skills, it must also be balanced with developmental experiences in the “real world.” Kids need to learn how to interact with other people and manage their responses to boredom. They need time to imagine and interact. So although future-ready parents understand the advantages of digital tools, they also know when to say “enough.”

3. The future-ready movement focuses on preparing learners for college and career readiness. This means that the future-ready parent has to think about the long-term: What does my kid want to pursue as an adult? 

4. Being future-ready means having an eye toward digital equity. This implies that parents will care not only about the academic success of their own kids but also about the success of kids who are disadvantaged in some way.