In total, 14 states, which educate over 12 million students or 25 percent of the United States K-12 enrollment, are now members of P21’s State Leadership Initiative, a multi-state coalition aimed at creating rigorous education systems.

In becoming a Leadership State, Ohio has committed to, within the next three years, ensuring every educator participates in at least one significant professional development program focused on integrating 21st century skills into content; updating state standards to reflect a combination of skills and content; and developing and introducing one significant assessment of 21st century skills. 

“Ohio’s designation as a Leadership State, coupled with our state’s new education plan, will ensure that 21st century learning is infused into our classrooms and curricula. Ohio is committed to providing every student with the skills and knowledge that will help them succeed after graduation in a fast-moving world where jobs are constantly advancing,” said Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. “It’s no secret that companies look for new employees who are innovative, think critically, and know how to solve complex problems. In Ohio, we’re preparing our students for the cutting-edge jobs of the modern economy.”

Joining the Partnership for 21st Century Skills is the continuation of Amended Sub House Bill 1, which passed in July, 2009. The bill aims to:

• Establish a framework to develop student-centered, collaborative, professional, and innovative learning environments;
• Benchmark Ohio students against their domestic and international peers; and
• Prepare and support educators to ensure students thrive in today’s world.

To that end, and as part of their work with P21, Ohio will review and revise pre-K-12 academic content standards and benchmark them to world-leading standards; revise and align teacher standards to the new content standards; ensure instruction prepares students for postsecondary success; and develop a new system of student assessments that employs multiple measures that go beyond what is measured in traditional assessments.

“It is important that states recognize that they are not just competing locally, but globally,” said Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. “Ohio’s application is further evidence of the increased importance of benchmarking assessments to international tests that measure critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communication skills, and other skills. While this work has only just begun, it is a vital first step.”

Along with Governor Strickland and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle, the initiative is supported by ranking members of Ohio’s House and Senate Education Committees, the state Board of Education of Ohio, the Ohio Board of Regents, the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the Ohio Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Administrators, the Ohio STEM Learning Network, netTrekker, the KnowledgeWorks Foundation and others.
 
In addition, Ohio has committed to establishing a state-based advisory committee that will include leaders and policy-makers from a broad section of stakeholders including education, arts and civic organizations, the business community, government, parents, students and foundations.
 
Kathy Hurley, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for the education services and technology company Pearson and P21 executive board and strategic council chair for the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, said “Today Governor Strickland, State Superintendent Delisle and other state leaders are laying the foundation to ensure all children in Ohio graduate with deep content knowledge and 21st century skills so they will be competitive in our technology-driven global economy.”

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 policy-makers 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: Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Member organizations include: Adobe Systems, Inc., American Association of School Librarians, Apple, ASCD, Blackboard, Inc., Cable in the Classroom, Cisco Systems, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Dell, Inc., Education Networks of America, Educational Testing Service, EF Education, Gale, Cengage Learning, Hewlett Packard, Intel Corporation, JA Worldwide®, K12, KnowledgeWorks Foundation, Learning Point Associates, LEGO Group, Lenovo, McGraw Hill, Measured Progress, Microsoft Corporation, National Education Association, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, netTrekker, Oracle Education Foundation, Pearson, Quarasan!, Scholastic Education, Sesame Workshop, Sun Microsystems, Verizon, and The Walt Disney Company.

Organizations or states interested in joining the Partnership may contact info@21stcenturyskills.org.

Contact: Albert Lang (202) 207-8510 (c); alang@eluminategroup.com