Infusing 21st century skills into education

What is the goal of education? While students focus on making the grade, they often overlook the fact that school is first and foremost geared towards creating a foundation for their futures. That is why educators across the country are now working towards building an education system focused on teaching children the skills they need to succeed in today’s world.Earlier this month, more than 200 schools, districts, state departments of education, and national and regional organizations from 40 states signed the National Action Agenda. Issued by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, the agenda consists of eight principles that policy-makers are embracing to infuse 21st century skills into children’s education. The 237 signatories are focused on equipping the next generation of students with the skills and knowledge required to take advantage of the opportunities and challenges they will face after they graduate.

Kathy Hurley, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for the education services and technology company Pearson, serves as the strategic council chair for the Partnership for 21st Century Skills that is heading up the agenda. In an official press release Hurley stated, “The challenge for today’s educators is to help transform learning and prepare our students for tomorrow’s workplace and tomorrow’s citizenship. These competencies fall into three major areas: Learning and Innovation Skills; Information, Media and Technology Skills; and Life and Career Skills. This combination of proficiencies is critical for our children’s success in a world where they are literally studying today for jobs we don’t even know will exist ten years from now.”

The main principles of the National Action Agenda center on the concept that access to the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s job market should be considered a national priority. The policy affirms that education is a right, not just a privilege, that every citizen should be granted. In addition, the agenda also looks towards closing the achievement gaps between U.S. students and their international peers, so that the United States will continue to be a world leader in industry and technology.

“To pursue and secure the American dream, every student from every background must receive a world-class education,” said Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. “The fact that so many schools, districts and state departments of education have signed demonstrates that the 21st century skills movement is gaining momentum in our communities and that we are closer to providing a world-class education for every child.”