Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Partnership for 21st Century Skills Overview
As part of my coursework for my graduate class, I was to explore and learn about the website, Partnership for 21st Century Skills. As I began to peruse the website, the amount and quality of information was amazing, from blogs on implementing Common Core Standards to exemplars on implementing 21st century skills and how to move above and beyond by combining the 3Rs and 4Cs, (communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity). Filled with downloadable PDFs, the site is abundant in its usable resources for educators, parents and communities. Clearly, many voices have been heard and collaboration among varying perspectives have culminated in a joint effort to create a road map for the future, not only for students and educators but for the future of the country as well.
Reading through the history, the vision of the founding members was inspiring, in 2002, and the fact that the U.S. Department of Education matched $1.5 million in funding the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. With the realization, more than ten years ago, that our students lack the skills to take on the challenges of the 21st century, this group opened up a national dialogue focused on what changes were needed. In addition, a poll conducted in 2007 indicated voters felt the same concern as to adjustments in education to prepare students and secure "our country's future economic success" (p21.org). With the membership ranging from individuals to corporations and an open invitation for new members, the organization exemplifies collaboration.
Clearly stated throughout the site is the fact that there is work to be done in every classroom in our country, and "Every member reinforces the mission of P21 and our ability to enact change on the local, federal and state level to shift the conversation for kids and ensure they're ready to lead and take on the challenges of the 21st century" (P21.org). Ideally, that is a powerful statement; "ensure they're ready to lead and take on the challenges of the 21st century", I whole heartedly agree that our students need a different skill set than ten years ago and in many classrooms the curriculum is in need of a sweeping renovation. Realistically, how will those needed changes be funded? When education budgets are often the first to be slashed, it seems counter productive to the mission "that all students are ready to succeed in college, career and life in the 21st century". If and when students are ready to succeed in college, how will they afford college? College tuition and fees rise at an alarming rate. In July of 2011, the University of California board of Regents raised students tuition by "an additional 9.6 percent". That hike followed "a previously approved 8 percent increase". The reason given for these tuition hikes was "the 10-campus system lost $650 million in state budget cuts" (blogs.kqes.org) How do we rationalize cutting programs, classes, educational opportunities while heaping financial burdens on those who can attend college, while at the same time say we are preparing every child for taking on the world? I struggle to conceptualize this, can anyone help me with this?
References
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2011).Partnership for 21st century skills. Retrieved from: http://www.p21.org
Beyond the Three Rs Voter Attitudes toward 21st Century Skills. (2007). Partnership for 21st century skills. Retrieved from: http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/p21_pollreport_2pg.pdf
UC Approves 9.6% Tuition Hike. (2011). Public Media for Northern California. Retrieved from: http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2011/07/14/uc-approves-9-6-tuition-hike/
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think that just like there is a disconnect between graduating high school students and skill set that is needed in the business world, there is also a disconnect between what is needed to be done to have prepared students and the funding that is needed to prepare them. I see it all the time in my district. A couple of years ago a huge push for technology in every classroom was going through the whole district. Grants were writen and money was found to put the technology into the classrooms. Teachers and students began to use the technology and it was beautiful. Well, just two short years later, technology is breaking down, is out of date, and is in desperate need of upgrades, but guess what.... no more money for upkeep. Principals are told if they want to the upkeep done find it in their own budget. But there is no money that is not already allocated to other things such as paper, and pencils.
ReplyDeleteThere is just a large disconnect between what needs to happen and what can happen because of funds.
So true, great ideas but no money to support or maintain the skills, training or, in many cases like yours, for hardware. Big disconnect!
DeleteUnfortunately, many colleges have had their budgets cut by state governments. However, I still feel that many colleges and universities are more concerned with making a profit, than they are with truly preparing students for the job market. States that have lotteries have seemed to fair better with budget cuts to institutions of higher learning. However, these institutions continue to raise tuition. This seems like a money grab to me. Furthermore, just how much of a disservice are we doing to our future leaders by first, not preparing them for college, and our colleges not preparing them the 21st century job market; while at the same time saddling them with thousands of dollars of debt. I truly believe that global business have to put pressure on the policy makers in America, in order to produce real change in our educational system. Microsoft, and organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation already do a great job of collaborating with teachers, administrators, and policy makers in order to try to make a difference in education. We need hundreds of more large, global companies to commit to transforming education as well. I was always told in order to make real change in a school, business, or in this case an institution, you must e an insider, but be able to see things from an outsider's view. It needs to happen fast, however. We are already behind the curve.
ReplyDelete