We started the P21 Exemplar Program four years ago because we wanted to capture in physical form the essential elements of 21st century teaching and learning.
We had no idea how successful that program would become – until two weeks ago.
On February 28, 2017, we held P21’s first Day on the Hill, a celebration of the 2016 - 2017 Exemplar cohort.
21st Century Skills Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) (left) and Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA) (right) welcomed attendees to the briefing.The panelists represented a cross-section of the visionary leadership found in our Exemplars: Paula Dillon, Assistant Superintendent of Barrington Public Schools (RI); Corey Mohn, Executive Director of Blue Valley CAPS (KS); Barbra Ryan, owner of the Goddard School located in Mooresville, NC; and Francisco Velasco, Executive Director of Feaster Charter School (CA).
Corey E. Mohn, Executive Director of Blue Valley CAPS discusses the importance of 21st century skills.The conversation revolved around a key question: What do you do in your schools to help close the skills gap?
The discussion was built upon P21’s Framework for 21st Century Learning and touched on a topic (the Skills Gap) that is of great interest to our three main stakeholder groups: federal/state policymakers, non-profit and corporate leaders, and K-12 practitioners. But in typical P21 fashion, we broadened the conversation: We believe our framework identifies not just workforce skills, but essential skills for college, career, and life.
During the event, representatives Edward Royce (R-CA) and Erik Paulsen (R-MN) dropped by to congratulate the schools in their districts that were being honored. Other honorees peeled off to visit their congressional representatives, including Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Claudia Tenney (R-NY).
Representatives from Downey Unified School District meeting with Rep. Roybal-Allard
After the Capitol event, the entire group raced crosstown to the headquarters of the American Federation of Teachers, where we held the official induction ceremony. During the awards ceremony, P21 unveiled the case studies for the new inductees and announced that April 24-28 will be our Skills for Today national campaign. Schools and organizations interested in participating can visit SkillsForToday.org to find out more information.
After a quick lunch, we moved the celebration to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, where our attendees participated in a private education event led by Teacher Program Coordinator Elizabeth Dale-Deines and her team.
The day was a great success for all involved. Yet again it revealed essential elements that mark these exemplar schools. Those through-lines have been captured in a research report (Patterns of Innovation) and a blog (5 Pillars of Whole School Transformation).
The application process for the next cohort has closed and soon we will begin our site evaluation of the finalists. Applications for the following year will open in November 2017. We encourage you to apply and want to emphasize the P21 will soon expand the continuum of Exemplars to include the Beyond School space.
We hope to see you in Washington, DC next February!
Check out more photos from our event on Capitol Hill:
David Ross, P21’s CEO, oversees all of P21’s programs, which span the entire 21st Century Learning Continuum, and its growing state support services. David created and managed the PBL World Conference, and co-authored the Project Based Learning Starter Kit, during his time at the Buck Institute for Education. Ross is a frequent and popular speaker and workshop facilitator at national and international conferences. Follow David on Twitter @davidPBLross
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Monday, July 10, 2017 @ 15:54