Since 2002, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills has been working with states and communities to reinvigorate learning to meet the demands of the 21st century.  Based on this work, the Partnership believes there are seven strategies for a successful statewide 21st Century Skills Initiative:

1) High-profile leadership

State leaders at the highest level, including the governor, chief state school officer, legislators, educators, business leaders and influential citizens, must make the case for 21st century learning.

2) Broad consensus and a shared vision

States should create an active coalition of business, education, non-profit and community organizations, and parents to develop broad consensus and a shared vision on the 21st century skills they value.

3) Ongoing professional development in 21st century skills

States should support administrators and teachers with ongoing professional development in 21st century skills.

4) Standards and curriculum aligned with 21st century skills

Given the results that matter for students today, most academic standards are too low and do not reflect 21st century skills or content.  Many states allow students to earn a high school diploma with eighth or tenth grade knowledge and skills (or less), in core subjects.  Higher standards are essential.

5) 21st century assessments

There is a growing, worldwide interest in creating modern assessments that measure 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills, and ICT literacy.  In 2005, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills released Assessment of 21st Century Skills:  A Landscape, a thorough survey of international efforts to modernize assessments, along with a set of recommendations related to the assessment of 21st century skills.

6) An effective communications strategy

Clearly, planning and implementing a successful statewide 21st Century Skills Initiative requires a multi-faceted effort and collaboration among many constituencies.

7) An aggressive implementation strategy

In every state, some schools and educators are already teaching and assessing 21st century skills.  States should showcase existing models of success for others to learn from and build on; they should also reach out to potential partners.