Want To Prepare Students for the Future? Try Decision Education.

The future of work is in flux. Advances in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence and automation, are rapidly reshaping industries. Jobs that once seemed secure are now vulnerable to automation, while new roles are being created that require a completely different set of skills. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2023, employers estimate that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted by 2028.

With how quickly workforce needs are changing, how can we better equip K-12 students to successfully navigate an unknown future? The ability to make better decisions in uncertain situations is more crucial than ever, not just for surviving in the workplace, but for thriving in it.

This is where Decision Education comes in.

Decision Education is the teaching and learning of skillful judgment formation and decision-making. Through Decision Education, students develop applied skills to navigate a complex and ever-changing world. Among other things, Decision Education promotes critical thinking, creativity, communication, and emotional intelligence—the type of skills that support students’ abilities to problem solve and work with others, two of the top skills employers increasingly emphasize per the 2024 Job Outlook by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Future-proofing students means helping them build critical skills that will help them succeed in any career field, regardless of how those fields evolve over time. Decision Education does this by equipping students with a broad foundation of transferable skills and knowledge that builds resilience, adaptability, and agency.

Each of the four domains of Decision Education plays a critical role in preparing students for the workforce of the future by building transferable skills and dispositions, such as:

1. The domain Structuring Decisions teaches students how to systematically approach complex problems by breaking them down into manageable parts and using tools to facilitate well-informed and thoughtful decisions.
2. The domain Thinking Probabilistically helps students assess risk, evaluate possible outcomes, and infuse numeracy into their decision-making, key skills for navigating uncertainty and being adaptable.
3. The domain Recognizing and Resisting Cognitive Biases develops students’ abilities to identify and counteract common thinking errors, such as confirmation bias or overconfidence, helping them make more objective and rational decisions.
4. Finally, the domain Valuing and Applying Rationality encourages students to prioritize active open-mindedness,, evidence-based decision-making, self-awareness, and self-regulation, all mindsets that aid problem solving and teamwork.

Together, these domains provide a comprehensive toolkit that helps future-proof students, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce with confidence and competence.

The skills developed through Decision Education are directly applicable to a wide range of professions and industries. For example, in business and management, effective decision-making is essential for strategic planning, resource allocation, and risk management. Individuals can analyze complex situations, weigh different courses of action, and make choices that align with organizational goals and values.

In healthcare, Decision Education is critical for clinical decision-making, where professionals must evaluate treatment options, consider patient preferences, and assess risks and benefits. The ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions is vital for delivering high-quality care and improving patient outcomes.

In the creative industries, Decision Education empowers professionals to make choices that foster creativity and innovation while also considering practical constraints, such as budget, timeline, and audience needs. Whether working in design, media, or the arts, the ability to think creatively and make thoughtful decisions is vital for producing work that resonates with audiences while achieving desired outcomes.

These are just a few examples; what makes Decision Education effective for future-proofing students is that the skills and mindsets taught are universal. These durable skills teach students how to think—not what to think, ensuring they are adaptable and equipped for any role.

While it’s hard to know exactly what the future of the workforce will look like, providing students with the skills to be better decision makers is crucial for setting them up to succeed in a changing world. That’s why we’re working to make Decision Education a part of every student’s learning experience.