Introduction to Creating a 21st Century School SystemThis is a featured page

Digital NativeThe need to improve West Virginia schools and school systems is certain. Today's students need skills sets for successful living and working in the 21st century. As educational leaders, we must be bold; we must break the mold and be flexible and creative as we educate today's students for this new, challenging and complex world. We must assure the basics of literacy and numeracy for all students, but we also must develop students who are competent in the ability to think critically, to apply knowledge and to use technology tools.

The basic skills are important, but they should provide a foundation for understanding complex issues, solving problems, and thinking critically and creatively. Learning must be an intentionally designed journey to deepen understanding and application of knowledge to relevant issues.

Technology has catapulted us into a knowledge-based, global society. It is clear that success in this society will require significantly different skills than in the past (CEO Forum, 2001, ICT Literacy Panel, 2002, others). Therefore, schools must address a rapidly changing world filled with fantastic new problems as well as exciting new possibilities and challenges. School systems are seeing an increasing number of students coming to the public schools as “digital natives,” able to navigate sophisticated applications of technology tools. Guided use of the vast array of technology tools brings richness of understanding, relevance and creative energy into the school and classroom.

However, the most pronounced characteristic of the 21st century school is its view of the learner. Students living in a world constantly changed by technology must be life-long learners. 21st century schools need to focus on creating learners who are active and self-directed; who understand their own learning styles; who can choose a learning process and judge the quality of their own work. The 21st century school is truly about creating a community of learners, where students are guided partners in the learning process.

Research and Articles:

  • Results That Matter: 21st Century Skills and High School Reform High schools need a relentless focus on the results that matter for student success in the 21st century according to The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (the Partnership). The Partnership issued a new national report, “Results That Matter: 21st Century Skills and High School Reform,” outlining a compelling framework for 21st century learning that focuses on the results that matter for today’s high school graduates.

  • Laptops for Learning The Laptops for Learning Task Force has finished its report assessing the use of mobile laptop computers in all learning environments as it relates to student success in grades K-12.

  • Growing Up Digital: How the Web Changes Work, Education, and the Ways People Learn For the past decade, faculty who won awards for teaching expressed concern that they could no longer hold the attention of their students. John Seely Brown, Chief Scientist at Xerox , hired 15 year olds to design future work and learning environments. He observed that they did not conform to the traditional image of learners as permissive sponges. It requires us to rethink and redesign education for the Digital Age.


  • Educating the Net Generation This downloadable e-book explores the Net Generation. The aptitudes, attitudes, expectations, and learning styles reflect the environment in which they were raised—one that is different from what existed when you were growing up. This collection explores the Net Gen and implications for schools in areas such as teaching, service, space design, faculty development, and curriculum.

  • Assess 21 This is a web-based repository for information on assessments of 21st century skills. It is designed to serve as a central hub for background information on 21st century skills assessments as they become available.

  • EnGauge 21st Century Skills Brochure This .pdf file covers the contents of the Learningskills for the 21st century discussed on their website in a brochure format, suitable for printing.

  • Educating the Net Generation This downloadable e-book explores the Net Generation. The aptitudes, attitudes, expectations, and learning styles reflect the environment in which they were raised—one that is different from what existed when you were growing up. This collection explores the Net Gen and implications for schools in areas such as teaching, service, space design, faculty development, and curriculum.

  • Put Learning First America's public school system needs dramatic change, and that change must start at the top. Paul T. Hill, one of America's foremost education analysts, calls for a radical change in the role of America's school boards.

  • Student Learning in Small Schools Rarely in the clamorous history of American public education have there been more calls for high school reform than today. And never before has the notion of improving adolescent learning through smaller schools received so much attention.


Open Source Software/Freeware/Downloads:

  • MILE Guide Developed to assist educators and administrators in measuring the progress of schools in defining, teaching and assessing 21st Century Skills. Links to downloads, the MILE Guide online assessment and the MILE Guide workshop.

  • 21st Century Skills Courses Online The EdVenture Group provides in depth training on 21st Century tools, skills and integration. Offerings in this series include a variety of courses including Digital Speak, Critical Think and Problem Solved, among others. These courses will prepare your teachers, principals and superintendents to teach and learn in the 21st Century Learning environment.

Websites/Podcasts/Videos:


Effective Implementation Examples:

  • Amphi Middle School At a recent staff meeting, the Amphi Middle School Staff brainstormed on the ways they used 21st century skills in their classrooms. This is a list of some of the ways 21st Century skills are being implemented in AMS classrooms.

  • Anderson New Technology HS (California) A small school in a small community, with a world-class staff and a leading-edge approach to education. They utilize project-based learning as a philosophy. They teach students to solve problems.

  • California K-12 Student Technology Showcase This website serves to inform parents, teachers, administrators, legislators and higher education representatives about curriculum-based student technology projects being undertaken in Kindergarten through grade 12. Some great pictures and descriptions!

  • Community Consolidated School District 15 (Chicago) A kindergarten through eighth-grade school system serving 12,390 students. Its student population includes 37.5% minority students and 32.5% low-income. 32% come from ESL backgrounds; 72 different languages are spoken in the homes of its students. They have implemented a wide array of programs and services to help all students reach performance goals.


  • INSIDE OUT How A School Turns Itself Around Central used to be the high school most people wanted to avoid. We didn't get many visitors looking for inspiration. But today Central has a waiting list, and if you came and took a look, you'd be surprised.

Student/Teacher Voices:

  • Voices from the Middle Grades What do students in the middle grades most need from their teachers? WKCD offers their answers by listening to the voices of early adolescents.



No user avatar
amcdanie 		Latest page update: made by amcdanie , Nov 7 2007, 9:29 PM EST (about this update About This Update amcdanie Edited by amcdanie

60 words added
2 words deleted

view changes
- complete history)
Keyword tags: None
More Info: links to this page

Threads for this page

Started By Thread Subject Replies Last Post
MrsRamBo EnGauge link broken 1 Mar 20 2008, 11:19 PM EDT by amcdanie
Thread started: Mar 16 2008, 3:08 PM EDT  Watch
I was trying to view the 21st Century Skills brochure that was described in the EnGauge link; however, the link is broken or the resource has been moved. Does anyone have this brochure? I would like to be able to show it to parents. Thanks
Do you find this valuable?    
Keyword tags: None
Show Last Reply
amcdanie How to Use this wiki 2 Feb 27 2008, 10:50 PM EST by DonnaP
Thread started: Nov 28 2007, 10:14 AM EST  Watch
this is an example of how to leave a comment or message about the page.
Do you find this valuable?    
Keyword tags: None
Show Last Reply
Showing 2 of 2 threads for this page