John Legend Pens CNN Op-Ed on Education Reform

He started by discussing his upbringing in a family with parents who fostered his love for music and encouraged him to be a good student. Legend grew up with three siblings who all had different aspirations and, because of this, he believes the current mold where everyone fits into a homogenous education system will only stifle the creative growth of those whose thinking reaches outside the system.

"It's also why we need to break with the long-held expectation that schools exist to mold and manage kids," Legend wrote. "In today's world, expecting every child's education to be the same, progress at the same rate and be measured against the same narrow standards of performances is not just outdated, it's a disservice to young people and to the educators who dedicate their lives to helping them."

Fresh out of college, Legend followed the predictable path of a graduate and got a consulting job because he was "supposed to." But the opportunities that lay in front of him "didn't test my limits, my creativity or enable me to pursue my passions," according to Legend.

Looking to be a part of the solution, Legend is launching Reimagine Learning, a $30 million fund organized and run by philanthropy fund New Profit, which provides support to educators, social entrepreneurs and researchers in the field of education.

The goal, according to the "Glory" singer, is to "Create more student-centered environments that help young people not just do better in school but also discover what they love."

Read the full op-ed and see all the organizations that are involved in the project on CNN.

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John Legend, Cnn