Not long ago, the author had the wonderful opportunity to visit schools in China and speak to Chinese educators. Everywhere she went, teachers and administrators asked her the same question: How can we help our students become more flexible, creative thinkers? She was struck by the contrast between these conversations and the ones she most often hear in schools in the United States. In recent years, conversations in U.S. schools have focused largely on improving standardized test scores. Of course, not all tests are bad, and educators want to ensure that students are learning valuable content. But if schools focus all their efforts on preparing students for tests, they will not be successful in preparing students for life. The 21st century pace of change, as well as the global economy, demand young people who can learn on their own, solve problems, and respond to situations unlike any parents or teachers can envision. How do educators prepare them for that? Educators help them become independent learners and creative thinkers.