Partnership for 21st Century Skills
August 2003
This short report from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills outlines that organization's vision for changing education to meet society's needs today and in the future. The Partnership is comprised of firms such as Apple, Dell, and Microsoft, so it's no surprise that its recommendations emphasize technology and advocate tailoring curricula so that students will be prepared to encounter spreadsheets, Palm Pilots, and the internet. The group also includes the NEA, so it's even less surprising that it rehashes old arguments for student-centered learning and curricula heavy on teaching "understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of ethnic, cultural, religious, and personal differences." Yet despite self-serving pleas from computer companies and the usual fare from the union, the report has some merit. It recognizes the importance of standards and accountability, of an education strong on basic skills (particularly civics and financial literacy), of teaching children personal responsibility, and of the need for teachers to acquire a "solid foundation in core subjects" (though in schools of education). To learn more about the 21st Century Project, see www.21stcenturyskills.org or download this report at http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/downloads/P21_Report.pdf.
