In this episode of "Swimming Upstream" host Tom Luna, sits down with Aimee Guidera, Virginia’s Secretary of Education, live from the ASU GSV conference in San Diego. As Guidera approaches the end of Governor Youngkin’s administration, she reflects on the challenges and achievements of transforming education in Virginia—a state with the unique constraint that its governor serves only one term.

Guidera shares deep insights into her role overseeing education from early childhood through higher ed, emphasizing the urgent need for breaking down silos and preparing students for today’s rapidly evolving workforce. She highlights the innovative use of labor market data through the Virginia Office for Education Economics (VOE), which equips students, families, and institutions with actionable information to create responsive education strategies and align academic plans directly with regional job demands.

Listeners will hear about Virginia’s overhaul of academic standards in core subjects, the process of benchmarking against national best practices, and the state’s renewed commitment to educational transparency. Guidera and Luna discuss the tough but vital decision to confront an “honesty gap” in student achievement reporting and the shift toward accountability systems focused on real outcomes rather than compliance.

Guidera wraps up by sharing little-known facts about Virginia, adding a touch of state pride and history to this thoughtful and inspiring episode. Perfect for education leaders, policymakers, and anyone passionate about student success and innovation in public policy.

Key Moments

04:39 Virginia: Top State for Business & Education

07:54 Empowering Informed Education Paths

10:36 Enhancing Educational Standards Nationwide

15:26 Challenging Misguided Perceptions

17:58 Empowering Parents Post-COVID

19:16 Enhancing Parent-Teacher Data Sharing

23:16 Student Support: A Three-Legged Stool

27:25 Virginia Launches Job Support Initiative

29:13 Exploring Data’s Impact and Value

Connect with Aimee Guidera

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimee-guidera-27a2646

Website: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/