“Genius” might be an appropriate descriptor to use when referring to the 2002 co-founding of Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) by Ken Kay & Diny Golder-Dardis.
After observing a “…profound gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skills they need in typical 21st Century communities and workplaces…” P21 started an aggressive promotional campaign to nationally publicize its highly-regarded and widely-accepted mission statement:
“Serve as a catalyst to position 21st Century skills at the center of U.S. K-12 education by building collaborative partnerships among education, business, community and government leaders.”
Endorsements from the U.S. Department of Education and eight organizations representing both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors helped strengthen both the message and the start-up monies needed for P21’s work.
So what’s all the hype about 21st Century skills, anyway?
P21 has defined the skills that are necessary to be an effective citizen and an effective worker in today’s global society:
· Information & communications, media & technology…
· Thinking & problem-solving…
· Interpersonal & self-direction, collaboration, accountability…
· Global awareness…
· Financial, economic, business literacy; entrepreneurial…
· Civic literacy…
Among those validating this message are some governors & heads of state educational systems, parents, educators and childcare providers, HR directors, and leaders of colleges and universities around the nation.
College & University admissions officers and their umbrella organizations have begun to spread the message to high school students about the importance of engaging in community service, volunteerism, clubs, teams, and other activities that will serve as a balance for the rigorous academic content the students are held accountable for. The College Board has also posted an abundance of information about Growth Industry Jobs on their website.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/237.html
Human Resources Directors who were surveyed by P21 revealed key areas they look for when recruiting and hiring people: critical thinking, information technology, health & wellness, collaboration, innovation, personal financial responsibility.
Correlations may be seen between what HR Directors who were surveyed are seeking regarding potential employees and the following statement from the U.S. Department of Labor (2009):
“The majority of this job growth comes from three subgroups: computer and mathematical occupations; health care practitioners and technical occupations; and education, training, and library occupations. Examples of occupations within these three areas are: computer software engineers; database administrators; desktop publishers; medical records and health information technicians; and special education, preschool, and elementary teachers. Among health care practitioners, registered nurses--by far the largest occupation in this subgroup--should account for more than a third of all new jobs.”
http://www.dol.gov/wb/factsheets/hotjobs03.htm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24794156/
http://www.doleta.gov/business/industries/
Some may ask “whose responsibility is it to develop these needed 21st Century skills in children?” And, the resounding response would likely be: It’s everyone’s responsibility.
Parents & Educators are finding the need to greatly shift thinking and traditional practices that were the acceptable norm during the 20th Century, but are no longer appropriate or applicable for today’s 21st Century learners.
The demands of these “digital learners” coupled with the demands of the shifted global economy requires a more current, 21st Century way of thinking and doing in order for the country’s young (and old) to successfully excel and compete.
“Business as usual” is quickly becoming an outdated mantra in both the modern and traditional sectors.
Find out how your individual states are responding to P21’s call-to-action for the consistent and systematic implementation of 21st Century skills-building at the K-12 levels across the nation…there’s an entire generation of young learners depending on these responses…
http://www.weareteachers.com/web/cybersummit/home;jsessionid=2A5731C9378124486B3923002E6BE6D4
http://www.mainstreet.com/article/career/employment/jobs-some-industries-still-projected-grow
Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
Educational Leader
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