Wisconsin becomes 21st Century Skills Leadership State

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster recently announced that Wisconsin has become the third state in the nation to join the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

“We must ensure that all students graduate with the skills and knowledge needed for the 21st century. To become a partnership state is an exciting extension of our New Wisconsin Promise: our commitment to raise achievement for all students and close the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged students, students of color, and their peers,” Burmaster said. “Our goal for every child in Wisconsin to graduate from high school with the knowledge and skills they need to be productive citizens and lifelong learners in our 21st century global society parallels the partnership’s vision to renew and strengthen education.”

North Carolina and West Virginia were the first states to join the Partnership. Wisconsin’s initiative will involve PK-12 and higher education and business leaders in development of an action plan for updating model academic standards to include 21st century skills, developing assessments, and providing professional development so teachers imbed 21st century skills in their instructional practices.

Those 21st century skills are outlined in the partnership’s Framework for 21st Century Learning. In addition to knowledge in the core subjects of English/language arts and reading, mathematics, science, world languages, civics, government, economics, arts, history, and geography, the framework calls for content knowledge that includes global awareness; financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy; civic literacy; and health and wellness awareness. Learning and thinking skills, information and communications technology literacy, and life skills such as leadership, adaptability, and self-direction, are to be included.

The framework developed from the collective vision of educators and employers of the skills that are most important for success in the workplace. The top four skills, which more than 400 employers across the United States considered lacking in all high school graduates and only adequate among college graduates, were

• professionalism/work ethic,
  
  
• oral and written communication,
  
  
• teamwork/collaboration, and
  
  
• critical thinking/problem solving.

Wisconsin’s application to the partnership calls for a review of the state’s model academic standards to ensure that they reflect the rigor demanded for the 21st century, include opportunities to develop knowledge and skill consistent with real-world application, and include the knowledge and skills needed for the 21st century. The state will expand its PK-16 Leadership Council to include more business representation to ensure that businesses provide continuing advice on the skills they need from future employees. The plan calls for a review of state assessments and implementation of strong classroom assessments to ensure that students can demonstrate their mastery of 21st century skills. Additionally, the plan sets a goal for 2007 that every educator in the state to have some exposure to 21st century skills through a professional development activity.

Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, commended Wisconsin for prioritizing the 21st century learning outcomes its students need to become successful citizens and workers in our increasingly globally interconnected society. “Wisconsin is a national leader in the teaching of global awareness,” Kay said. “We look forward to working with Wisconsin’s leaders in expanding their expertise in this area into all the critical areas of 21st century skills. Today’s students need to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and effective communicators who are proficient in both core subjects and new 21st century skills. The partnership looks forward to working with the education, business and public policy leaders in the state to define a powerful vision for 21st century education.”

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills brings together the business community, education leaders, and policymakers to define a powerful vision to ensure every child’s success as citizens and workers in the 21st century. For additional information, visit http://www.21stcenturyskills.org.

Last updated on 1/29/2007