The Partnership for 21st Century Skills feels fortunate at this time of year for the great partnerships and collaborations we have developed. During this period of economic crisis, the Partnership is gratified that our work will help impact solutions and address the challenges facing the country. As the calendar flips, we look forward to facing these demanding times with all our valued members, states and the education/business community at large. We truly wish you get everything you need - and hopefully a little more - this holiday season.

---

In This Issue...

• The Partnership Delivers a Presidential Transition Paper
• The Partnership Releases the 21st Century Skills and English Map
• Arizona Joins the Partnership
• The Partnership Welcomes New Member Organizations
• Professional Development Affiliate Program Begins
• Education Sector Releases Measuring Skills for the 21st Century
• North Carolina Honored for Conducting Groundbreaking Education Work
• Upcoming Events

---

The Partnership Delivers a Presidential Transition Paper

On December 12, 2008, members of the Partnership's executive committee met with President-Elect Obama's transition team to deliver and highlight A Transition Brief: Policy Recommendations on Preparing Americans for the Global Skills Race. The brief offers broad proposals for forging a workforce and creating an education system that will thrive in the 21st century. The paper notes that the current economic challenges cannot be adequately addressed without focusing on America's competitiveness, which is intrinsically tied to the ability of Americans to effectively compete in the new global economy. Consequently, the Obama administration and next Congress must concentrate on helping every American obtain the skills that are required to be successful 21st century workers as competing nations understand that the key to economic prosperity is creating a flexible, adaptable workforce with diverse 21st century skill sets.

For more information on A Transition Brief: Policy Recommendations on Preparing Americans for the Global Skills Race click here!

---

The Partnership Releases the 21st Century Skills and English Map

At the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention, Dale Allender, director of NCTE-West, and Sandy Hayes, eighth grade English teacher, presented the 21st Century Skills and English Map to approximately 100 educators from across the country. The map provides educators with first-of-its-kind teacher-created models of how 21st century skills can be infused into English classes. The framework, which was developed by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and NCTE, demonstrates how the integration of 21st century skills into English curriculum supports teaching and learning and prepares students to become effective and productive citizens in the 21st century.

For more information on the 21st Century Skills and English Map click here!

---

Arizona Joins the Partnership

Arizona became the 10th state to join the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. By signing on to work with the Partnership, Arizona has committed to embedding 21st century skills in five critical areas: standards, assessments, professional development, teacher preparation and youth development. To ensure students receive a rigorous education, Arizona plans to identify changes to standards and assessments to incorporate mastery of 21st century skills and continue to pursue the integration of college - and career-ready assessments in high school. In addition, Arizona has taken the national lead by being the first state to create a Teacher Preparation plan focused on forging relationships with the state's public higher education institutions and has committed to revising teaching standards to include 21st century skills.

For more information about Arizona click here!

---

The Partnership Welcomes New Member Organizations

In addition to its newest leadership state, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills also welcomes the latest organizations to its national membership: Learning.com and McGraw-Hill. Adding these organizations furthers the growing momentum and increases the number of organizations joining the Partnership since September to five (the aforementioned plus K12, Learning Point Associates and Scholastic Education). The ever-increasing interest of leading American businesses and organizations in 21st century skills shows that the key to forging a strong, viable economy is ensuring students graduate with the skills required to succeed in the 21st century global workplace.

For more information on the Partnership’s member organizations click here!

---

Professional Development Affiliate Program Begins

In October, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills launched a groundbreaking new program aimed at establishing a network of experts who can help states and districts design and implement 21st century skills professional development programs. Nearly 30 people from 11 organizations comprised the pilot participants in the Professional Development Affiliate program. As more and more states and districts embrace 21st century skills, there is an exponentially growing need for assistance in embedding these skills into schools and classrooms. The unique design of the program allows for differentiation within states to ensure 21st century skills fit seamlessly into existing state standards and policies. The next program will take place from January 28 - 31. For information on participating, click here.

---

Education Sector Releases Measuring Skills for the 21st Century

On November 10, Education Sector, a Washington-based think tank, released Elena Silva's new work, Measuring Skills for the 21st Century, which argues that "integrating 21st-century skills into teaching and assessment...is...a vital aspect of improving student learning." The paper demonstrates that assessments that focus on 21st century skills and competencies can be measured effectively. In addition, the paper argues that it is possible to measure 21st century skills within the very same assessments that measure core content mastery. As the Partnership has long argued, 21st century skills are not in competition with core subjects, but rather fit seamlessly into core competencies. Thanks to the research, "there is...no need for more tests to measure advanced skills. Rather, there is a need for better tests that measure more of the skills students' need to succeed today."

---

North Carolina Honored for Conducting Groundbreaking Education Work

The first 21st Century Skills Leadership State, North Carolina, recently received the 2008 Innovations in American Government Award from the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government for the state's Learn and Earn high school reform initiative. In addition, the National Education Association, a member of the Partnership, recently gave North Carolina Gov. Michael Easley (D-N.C.) the inaugural "America's Greatest Education Governor Award."

---