This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. "Empower our students and teachers, who are closest to the problems of learning, to make decisions", says Oliver Sicat. In his talk, Oliver explains how students, teachers and parents are the key to really impacting the education reform, and the education of tomorrow.

Oliver Sicat is the CEO of Ednovate, a personalized learning charter management organization founded in partnership with USC that is redesigning the American High School experience.

Before that Oliver served as Chief Portfolio Officer within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). As an executive cabinet member, he improved student achievement results for 403,000 students attending 675 schools.

Oliver has also been a successful teacher, non-profit founder and charter school principal. In 2006, Oliver was named Teacher of the Year in the Boston Public Schools, and his non-profit, Emagine, was nationally recognized for its work preparing first-generation college students for college. He moved to Chicago to build a school for the Noble Network of Charter Schools, and under his leadership, it became the #1 non-selective school in Chicago in 2011 and remains #1 today.

Oliver graduated from the University of Southern California and received his Masters degree from Harvard University


About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)