WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans increasingly recognize that the U.S. education system can and should do more to prepare our young people to succeed in the rapidly evolving 21st century. Skills such as global literacy, problem solving, innovation and creativity have become critical in today's increasingly interconnected workforce and society. To help education leaders and policymakers implement 21st century teaching and learning, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills today launches Route 21, an online, one-stop shop for 21st century skills-related information, resources and tools.
Route 21 (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/route21/) showcases how 21st century skills can be supported through standards, assessments, professional development, curriculum and instruction and learning environments. The site represents the first comprehensive, go-to online resource for high-quality content, best practices, relevant reports, articles and research to assist practitioners in implementing 21st century teaching practices and learning outcomes, according to the Partnership.
Route 21 harnesses Web 2.0 features to allow users to tag, rank, organize, collect and share Route 21 content based on their personal interests. Individuals will continuously update the site with relevant examples as well as share their reactions and insights on implementing 21st century skills in their state, district or school.
"Today we are not only launching a comprehensive online resource, but we are also launching a community of 21st century enthusiasts," said John Box, chair of the Partnership and vice president of product development and support for JA Worldwide(R).
The Partnership is the leading advocacy organization focused on infusing 21st century skills into education. The organization's Framework for 21st Century Learning, which defines the skills outcomes and the support systems needed to ensure quality 21st century teaching and learning, is currently being used by six states that are committed to providing their students the skills most needed for success in 21st century learning, life and work.
"Educators, business leaders and policymakers nationwide have long supported our Framework but invariably would ask, 'What does it look like in practice?'" said Ken Kay, president of the Partnership. "The creation of Route 21 represents our commitment to helping education leaders bring 21st century teaching and learning to every student -- as well as providing policymakers with critical information they need to build momentum for 21st century skills in our education system."
Box acknowledged the vision of the Partnership's board as well as the leadership of key members in creating Route 21: Karen Cator, director of education leadership for Apple and immediate past chair of the Partnership; Bernie Trilling, global director for the Oracle Education Foundation; and Charles Fadel, global lead for education, Cisco Systems. Trilling and Fadel chair the group's Standards, Assessment and Professional Development Committee which guided this project to completion.
Route 21's content is divided into four major sections: 21st century skills; 21st century support systems; resources for 21st century skills; and 21st century partner states. Electronic white papers (e-papers) provide deeper insights into the importance of the skills and support systems. The extensive, easy to browse database offers examples, models and best practices on assessments, standards and professional development that reinforce 21st century skills. Thanks to a partnership with The George Lucas Educational Foundation, publishers of http://www.edutopia.org/, Edutopia magazine, and Edutopia video documentaries, numerous video examples of 21st-century teaching and learning are available.
"As co-chair of the committee that helped sketch the blueprints for this new online route to 21st century learning, I am extremely proud and humbled by the enormous collaborative contributions that so many outstanding education, business, government and non-profit organizations have made," said Trilling. "I look forward to the day when all our K-12 schools will be connected to the Route 21 community."
"Route 21 addresses every element of 21st century teaching and learning: standards and assessments, curriculum and instruction, professional development and learning environments," said Fadel. "The site represents the most comprehensive collection of 21st century skills content and practices. We look forward to watching our resources as well as our online community grow."
For more information on Route 21, go to http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/route21/.
About the Partnership for 21st Century Skills
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is the leading advocacy organization focused on infusing 21st century skills into education. The organization brings together the business community, education leaders and policymakers to define a powerful vision for 21st century education to ensure every child's success as citizens and workers in the 21st century. The Partnership encourages schools, districts and states to advocate for the infusion of 21st century skills into education and provides tools and resources to help facilitate and drive change.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills
