Statement by Paige Kuni and Ken Kay, chair and president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills on the 21st Century Skill Incentive Fund Act

May 14, 2009 — TUCSON, AZ — The Partnership for 21st Century Skills applauds Senators John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) for sponsoring the 21st Century Skill Incentive Fund Act.

The act, which was also cosponsored by Senator John Kerry (D-MA), aims to provide matching federal funds to states that pair strong core courses with 21st century skills such as creativity, innovation, critical thinking and financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy.

In addition, the act was developed using ideas generated from educators in Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia. This demonstrates the broad consensus across the country that combining rigorous math, science, reading, and other core courses with 21st century skills will increase positive learning outcomes. 

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Senators Rockefeller-Snowe-Kerry
S.1029 The 21st Century Skill Incentive Fund

ROCKEFELLER CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION REFORM TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH JOB SKILLS
Introduces the 21st Century Skill Incentive Fund Act

Washington, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today introduced the 21st Century Skill Incentive Fund Act. Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and John Kerry (D-MA) have signed on as original cosponsors.

This legislation would provide matching federal funds to states that offer students curriculum options beyond the core requirements, including financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy, civic literacy, and health and wellness awareness. The bill would appropriate $100 million a year to the U.S. Department of Education to administer matching grants to states that integrate these 21st Century Skills into existing courses at their schools.