As summer gives way to fall, the last four months have been productive and momentous for the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. The Partnership officially added its ninth state, New Jersey and welcomed a new board and three new coalition members. In addition, the organization released a seminal paper, the 21st Century Skills, Education & Competitiveness Resource and Policy Guide and was featured in major national papers and journals. Clearly the "dog days" don't apply to the Partnership!

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In This Issue...

• West Virginia Releases A Chronicle of West Virginia's 21st Century Learning Initiative, Appropriates $2.6 million for Professional Development
• New Jersey Joins the Partnership
• 21st Century Skills, Education and Competitiveness Resource and Policy Guide
• The Partnership Welcomes New Board Leadership and Member Companies
• Partnership Provides Platform Testimony for DNC, RNC Drafting Committees
• 21st Century Skills and Social Studies Map
• Partnership Experiences Increased National Spotlight
• Virginia Beach Embraces a 21st Century Education System
• Upcoming Events

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New Jersey Joins the Partnership

New Jersey recently became the latest state to join the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. By signing on to work with the Partnership and eight other leadership states, New Jersey has taken a decisive step toward providing all students with a rigorous, world-class education.

For more information about New Jersey, click here!

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21st Century Skills, Education & Competitiveness Resource and Policy Guide

On September 10, 2008, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills released the 21st Century Skills, Education & Competitiveness Resource and Policy Guide, which found that creating a 21st century education system that prepares students, workers and citizens to triumph in the global skills race is the central economic competitiveness issue currently facing the United States. Sponsored by the Partnership, Ford Motor Company Fund, KnowledgeWorks Foundation and the National Education Association, the report notes that in order to be globally competitive, attract growth industries and create jobs, the United States requires a fresh approach to education that recognizes the importance 21st century skills play in the workplace.

For more information on the paper, click here!

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The Partnership Welcomes New Board Leadership and Member Companies

With the beginning of the new fiscal year, the Partnership announced that Paige Kuni, worldwide manager of K-12 education for Intel Corporation, was elected board chair for the 2008-09 academic year. Joining her is Kathy Hurley, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for Pearson School and Pearson Foundation, who will serve as vice chair. One of Kuni's primary goals is 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 also welcomed three new organizations to its national membership: K12, Learning Point Associates and Scholastic Education, bringing the total number to 38.

For More Information, click here!

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Partnership Provides Platform Testimony for DNC, RNC Drafting Committees

In August, Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, provided verbal and written testimony to the Democratic and Republican National Platform Drafting Committees. Kay addressed the DNC platform drafting committee in person on Friday, August 1, 2008, and has also submitted written and video testimony to the Republicans. In his remarks, Kay urged both committees to investigate the intersections of education and the economy and explore the actions necessary for guaranteeing American students are able to compete in the global economy.

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21st Century Skills and Social Studies Map

At the National Council for the Social Studies Summer Leadership Institute, Andrea Prejean, senior policy analyst for the National Education Association, presented the 21st Century Skills and Social Studies Map to nearly 100 social studies educators from across the country. The map, the first of its kind to be released, demonstrates how the integration of 21st century skills into social studies supports teaching and prepares students to become effective and productive citizens in the 21st century. Developed by the Partnership and National Council for the Social Studies, the resource provides educators with concrete examples of how 21st century skills can be infused into classroom practices and highlights the critical connections between social studies and 21st century skills.

For More Information about the 21st Century Skills and Social Studies Map, click here!

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Partnership Experiences Increased National Spotlight

In addition to engaging the presidential campaigns and releasing vital resources and tools, the Partnership has been working with national media to raise the awareness of the American public surrounding the importance of 21st century skills. The Partnership has been featured in over thirty stories in the last four months, including pieces in the Washington Post, New York Times and Harvard Education Letter.

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Virginia Beach Embraces a 21st Century Education System

Even in non-leadership states, there is momentum for incorporating 21st century skills into education. The Virginia Beach School Board recently endorsed a plan to shift teaching priorities from testing to critical thinking. Around the country, forward-thinking districts and school boards are embracing the notion that teaching and learning must go beyond the memorization of rote facts to ensuring young people can think critically and be creative and innovative.

For more information, click here!

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