The United States faces a critical challenge in preparing students to meet workplace demands in an increasingly competitive, knowledge-based global economy. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, along with The Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families and the Society for Human Resource Management, will release in September 2006 the results of an in-depth survey examining corporate views on the readiness of new entrants to the U.S. workforce — recently hired graduates from high schools, two-year colleges or technical schools and four-year colleges. The purpose of the “Defining U.S. Workforce Readiness” survey is to clearly articulate employers’ perspectives on the education and skill requirements for the 21st century workplace and is part of an ongoing project that will examine the respective roles of business, education and community in equipping the nation’s future workers. Survey results will be available on the Partnership’s website the week of Sept. 25, 2006.

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills welcomes new board leadership on September 1 for the 2006-2007 term. Karen Cator, director of education leadership and advocacy for Apple, will serve as chair of the Partnership while John Box, vice president of product development for JA Worldwide, assumes the position of vice chair. The role of treasurer will be filled by Jessie Woolley-Wilson, president of LeapFrog SchoolHouse, and Michael Schmidt, contributions director for education at Ford Motor Company Fund, will be secretary.

Cator replaces John Wilson, who is also executive director of the National Education Association. Partnership President Ken Kay thanked Wilson for his leadership and dedication to the important cause of infusing 21st century skills into every U.S. classroom.

“During his tenure as chair, John has been a passionate spokesperson on the importance of 21st century skills,” Kay said. “John also shepherded the growth of our state leadership program and played a critical role in developing our strategic five-year plan. I am grateful to John for elevating the importance of 21st century skills and taking very seriously his charge of bringing 21st century skills to every child in America.”

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills commended the U.S. Department of Education’s Commission on Higher Education draft report for its focus on lifelong learning, innovation and global competitiveness issues, but expressed concern that the current draft has not fully articulated the skills that college students need to succeed as 21st century citizens and workers. In a letter to Cheryl Oldham, executive director of the commission, the Partnership provided several recommendations on including more specific references to 21st century skills in the commission’s final report.

Creating high schools that truly will improve learning, achievement and competencies demands a clear understanding of the knowledge, skills and attributes that are increasingly important for every high school today, according Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and G. Thomas Houlihan, executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers. A commentary by Kay and Houlihan on the Partnership’s March 2006 report, “Results That Matter: 21st Century Skills and High School Reform,” was published in the May 17, 2006, issue of Education Week.

Today's graduates need to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and effective communicators who are proficient in core subjects and new, 21st-century content and skills. Every school in America must prepare its graduates to thrive in the 21st century, whether they go on to college, career preparation, or the workplace according to Partnership board members John Wilson, executive director of the National Education Association; Karen Cator, director of education leadership and advocacy for Apple; and Helen Soule, executive director of Cable in the Classroom. The June 1, 2006, issue of eSchool News carried an article written by Wilson, Cator and Soule on the importance of our nation's high schools achieving the results that matter — 21st century skills integrated with core academic subjects — to meet the significant educational and economic challenges we face in this century.

John Wilson, chair of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and executive director of the National Education Association, has been recognized by the Institute for Educational Excellence and Entrepreneurship at West Chester University for his vision to prepare students to succeed in today’s increasingly competitive world.

The 3E Institute acknowledged Wilson for his critical role as NEA executive director and chair of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. He received the Educator 500 President’s Award at the 4th Annual Business and Education Leadership Forum held in Philadelphia in May.

The following is a list of upcoming events where the work of the Partnership will be featured:

Technology Access Foundation
September 27
Seattle, Wash.

State Educational Technology Directors Association Leadership Summit
October 3
Washington, D.C.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Summit
October 4-5
Dallas, Texas

The School Reinvention Symposium for Grades 6-12
October 28
Washington, D.C.

National School Boards Association T&L Conference
November 8
Dallas, Texas

On June 15, members of the Partnership’s national board attended a day-long education summit at the William and Ida Friday Institute for Education Innovation in Centennial Campus at N.C. State University to learn more about North Carolina’s innovative school reform efforts. The Center for 21st Century Skills Education Summit, “One North Carolina: Leading the 21st Century with Knowledge and Innovation,” was sponsored by the N.C. Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and brought together members of the NCBCE, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, the N.C. State Board of Education, university and community officials, legislators and other education leaders.