In addition, Kathy Hurley, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for Pearson School and Pearson Foundation, was elected to serve as vice chair. Joining Kuni and Hurley, Julie Walker, executive director of the American Association of School Librarians and Doug Levin, senior director of education policy for Cable in the Classroom, will continue their roles as secretary and treasurer, respectively.

The Partnership also welcomed three new organizations to its national membership, K12, Learning Point Associates and Scholastic Education, bringing the total number to 38.

“The decision of these leading education organizations to join the Partnership is not only evidence of each company’s commitment to bringing 21st century skills to the nation’s K-12 students, but also of the growing national momentum to ensure U.S. students are successful citizens and workers in an increasingly globalized society and workforce,” said Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

Kuni, who is responsible for collaborating with educators and government leaders worldwide on programs to help students prepare and develop 21st century skills, replaces John Box, senior vice president for education at JA Worldwide®. “The Partnership has done a great job building momentum for the incorporation of 21st century skills into the American education system,” said Kuni. “This success is due to our dynamic board and partner states whose tireless efforts have been directed toward bringing 21st century teaching and learning to every child in America.”    

Kuni said one of her primary goals will be to enhance the resources available to the nine partner states that have adopted the Partnership’s Framework for 21st Century Learning. In addition, Kuni is intent on leading the national dialogue on the critical teaching and learning outcomes needed in a global society and marketplace. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, under Kuni’s leadership, plans to release several important papers and host several national meetings that will intensify the conversations at all levels surrounding 21st century skills, including:

➢    21st Century Skills, Education & Competiveness paper for policymakers that discusses the vital intersections of the U.S. economy and global competitiveness with education;
➢    Presidential Transition Paper focused on making recommendations that engage the new administration in 21st century education outcomes; and
➢    National Summit on 21st Century Skills, which will build on the movement and momentum surrounding the reform initiatives already in progress.