How To Prepare Students To Succeed In A Competitive Global Economy

CROMWELL — Schools must integrate learning programs and classes that better teach students the “real world” skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the 21st Century’s fiercely competitive global workplace.

That was the message more than 100 Connecticut school superintendents, schools administrators, school board members, and educators heard this week from Cable in the Classroom’s Senior Director of Education Policy Douglas Levin at the Symposium on 21st Century Learning, sponsored by the Connecticut Educators Computer Association, the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, and the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

“Most schools today are still teaching for yesterday’s workplace,” said Mr Levin, also a board member of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, the leading advocacy organization infusing 21st Century skills into education. “The world is now flat, technology continues to change at an astounding pace, and the US is at-risk of falling behind. Schools need to keep pace with the changing world and better prepare students with the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in society and the evolving global workplace.”

A recent survey of business leaders on the readiness of new entrants to the US workforce found the incoming generation is lacking a core set of basic knowledge and ability to apply their skills in the workplace. Business leaders say these applied skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and communication are as essential for success in today’s workplace as the three R’s, if not more so.

“School districts and their leaders must commit to reform and work with community leaders, government leaders, higher education, and businesses to identify and incorporate the teaching and learning of 21st Century skills into K–12 education,” said Mr Levin. “To ensure our success, we also must take this process a couple steps further. We must create student assessments, both formative and summative, to measure the effectiveness of our progress and provide significant professional development opportunities for teachers.”

At the same time, it is important to recognize that students have grown up with the Internet and computers. They are immersed in new technology and media whether it is on their phones, via iPods, on video game players, or laptops. Internet technology will continue to evolve to meet the demands of users and is already playing a fundamental role in reshaping the global business world.

“Education leaders must embrace the inevitability of the Internet’s innovation and it’s place in the global economy,” said Mr Levin. “Schools need to harness its power and promise, including teaching vital information and media literacy skills, to help prepare students for life beyond the classroom and in the new workplace.”