Partnership for 21st Century Skills and National Council for the Social Studies Create Framework for Integrating 21st Century Skills into Social Studies Curriculum

WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 17, 2008 – The 21st Century Skills and Social Studies Map, the first of its kind to be released, demonstrates how the integration of 21st century skills into the social studies supports teaching and prepares students to become effective and productive citizens in the 21st century.

The map, developed by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and National Council for the Social Studies, provides educators with concrete examples of how 21st century skills can be infused into classroom practices and highlights the critical connections between social studies and 21st century skills.

“I am confident we have developed an invaluable resource for social studies teachers and
educators in general as we move toward a 21st century education system,” said Michael Yell,
president of the National Council for the Social Studies. “This map represents the intersection of
21st century skills and the social studies and provides an exciting tool for teachers and
students.”

The map details how to align teaching and learning to the demands of the 21st century by providing lesson examples that combine core skills like critical thinking, creativity and innovation with interdisciplinary themes (civic, economic and entrepreneurial literacy and global awareness). The map also cites specific student outcomes and provides project models that will result in enhanced student achievement in grades four, eight and 12.

“I want to commend NCSS for their dynamic leadership in moving the social studies into the
21st century,” said Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. “This release
highlights the Partnership’s work to develop innovative tools that both integrate 21st century
skills into curriculum and positively impact student learning.”

The 21st Century Skills and Social Studies Map is the first in a series of core content maps
designed for educators, administrators and policymakers. Other maps will be available for
mathematics, English, geography and science throughout 2008 and 2009. All of the
Partnership's resources are freely available at www.21stcenturyskills.org.

See Social Studies Map

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. 21st Century Skills Leadership States include: Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Member organizations include: Adobe Systems, Inc., American Association of School Librarians, Apple, ASCD, AT&T, Atomic Learning, Blackboard, Inc., Cable in the Classroom, Cengage Learning, Cisco Systems, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Davis Publications, Dell, Inc., Discovery Education, Education Networks of America, Education Testing Service, EF Education, Ford Motor Company Fund, Giant Campus, Hewlett Packard, Intel Foundation, JA Worldwide, KnowledgeWorks Foundation, LEGO Group, Lenovo, Measured Progress, Microsoft Corporation, National Education Association, Oracle Education Foundation, Pearson, PolyVision, SAP, Sesame Workshop, Texas Instruments, THINKronize, Verizon, and Wireless Generation. Organizations interested in joining the Partnership may contact info@21stcenturyskills.org.

About National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS):  NCSS is the largest association in the nation devoted solely to social studies education. Its membership is organized into a network of more tan 110 affiliated local, state, and regional councils and associated groups composed of pre-K-12 classroom teachers, college and university professors, school officials, supervisors and consultants, publishers, and other social studies professional. There are currently some 23,000 individual and institutional members representing all states, and the District of Columbia in the U.S. and many other countries.

NCSS defines the social studies as “the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence.” The basic purpose of the social studies program is to teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy. The mission of National Council for the Social Studies is to provide leadership, service, and support for all social studies educators.

Contact: Albert Lang
e-Luminate group
(202) 585-0243 (w)
(301) 512-8379 (c)
alang@eluminategroup.com

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