Communication, citizenship, careers, culture and community
Wisconsin takes the reins of 21st century learning
For Paul Sandrock of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the future of his state's school system comes down to a basic question: "What skills do you tell a class of fourth-graders they'll need when they enter the workforce?"
According to a survey of more than 400 employers across the United States, four fundamental skills for work and life – professionalism, oral and written communication, teamwork/collaboration and critical thinking/problem solving – were considered lacking in high school graduates and only adequate among college graduates.
At the same time, the state sought to update its 10-year-old curriculum standards and bring professional development and assessments up to speed with today's fast-changing technological advancements.
That's a considerable "to do" list – but one Sandrock, the state agency's assistant director, Content and Learning Team, is prepared to fulfill. Following the commitment Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster made to integrate vital skills into every grade, in January 2007 Wisconsin became the third state, following North Carolina and West Virginia, to join the Partnership for 21st Century Skills(P21).
With a framework for learning based on the vital skills identified for this century, P21 seemed a natural match for Wisconsin – a point that was affirmed during a 2007 state-hosted summit that brought together business leaders and city and county government agency heads involved with workforce development. The goal was to identify the skills and knowledge that would best prepare K-12 students for postsecondary education, the workforce and effective citizenship. The list they generated, says Sandrock, "matched the P21 framework."
Core and more
Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards, currently used in all districts, set high goals in both the core subjects of English/language arts, mathematics, science and social studies and 15 additional disciplines, including agricultural education, art and design education, environmental education, information and technology literacy, personal financial literacy and physical education.
Within these disciplines lie the fundamentals of communication, collaboration, professionalism and critical thinking that will help round out each student. "We don't assign life skills the way we assign a course," Sandrock says. "These skills must be fully integrated into each lesson." The goal is "a balance of academic content and real-world critical skills."
Professional development
In the categories of professional development and assessments, the Wisconsin team is also looking to the P21 framework. "The performance standards, knowledge and dispositions that teachers are expected to demonstrate upon graduation from an educator preparation program are very much aligned with 21st century skills and principles," according to the state's Department of Public Instruction.
Among 10 skill criteria listed for Wisconsin's teachers are:- Understanding of how students learn and develop;
- Understanding of how students differ in approaches to learning and creating instruction adaptable to diverse learners;
- Effectively using verbal, nonverbal and media communication to foster active inquiry and collaboration; and
- Establishing relationships within the school and larger community.
Global literacy for all
The state's new standards for students and educators were developed with a view far beyond Wisconsin. "Our goal is to embed global perspectives into every discipline," says Sandrock. To that end, the Department of Public Instruction has launched an International Education Council that advocates for cross-cultural teacher training, student exchanges, sister-school connections and business-school partnerships to support international projects.
Assessments
Along with standardized exams in core subjects at grades 4, 8 and 10, state assessments are given in reading and mathematics in grades 3, 5, 6 and 7. While the state does not assess the full depth and breadth of 21st century skills as indicated in the P21 framework, assessment questions reflect the content and critical-thinking skills that enable districts to see such skills demonstrated by the students.
The rollout rolls on
As the new P21 curriculum expands, so will the opportunities to reach out to students, parents and educators. "We just started an entrepreneurial literacy taskforce," Sandrock says, "and we are studying how to embed entrepreneurial knowledge and skills into instruction – not just in business courses, but all parts of the curriculum – so students can emerge ready to explore opportunities as entrepreneurs."
Wisconsin's Educational Communications Board (public TV and radio) is also participating, using the lens of the P21 framework to identify student-oriented programming.
Sandrock has one more plan for Wisconsin: "Once we have our standards formalized," likely at the start of the next school year, "we envision a Web site where people can see what this looks like in practice."
Read more about P21 and Gale's commitment to fostering achievement in 21st century skills