There is nothing more satisfying than a grassroots effort to change the world for the better. Parents for Great Education hosted a 21st Century Education Summit at DeAnza College last Saturday afternoon. Even though the attendance was under the 250 that had been hoped for, all participants left with a renewed understanding on the importance of providing all students with 21st century skills while finding new ways to fund California’s schools adequately and consistently.
Anne E. Campbell, San Mateo County’s superintendent of schools, said she finds it rather ironic that with 11 percent of the 21st century behind us we are still talking about this issue. Finally there is wind at the sails of the movement to get beyond the 19th century classroom that once emphasized rote memorization skills rather than critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration and problem solving skills.
It is the goal of P21 to integrate these aforementioned skills, called the four c’s, into all core content areas including English language arts, mathematics, history-social science, science, visual and performing arts and world languages in order to prepare each student for college, career and civic engagement.
A recent Newsweek cover story’s analysis on today’s students understanding of civics education was that, “the country’s future is imperiled by our ignorance.” In a recent editorial, Stephen Zack, president of the American Bar Association, wrote, “A government cannot survive if it is not understood and embraced by its people.”
The P21 framework calls for a well-rounded curriculum that integrates 21st century skills into all content areas for each child to acquire:
Global Awareness
Financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy
Civic Literacy
Health literacy
Environmental literacy
During the panel I moderated, Michael Matsuda, co-chair of 21st Century Coalition for California, said those who drop out of school regretted their decision years later. In a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation study 81 percent of a large sample of dropouts recently surveyed said they would not have dropped out of high school if the curriculum was relevant and engaging. These data indicate that the students who dropped out were capable academically yet they were bored with the 19th century classroom structure in a 21st century constantly changing world. Another panelist said our schools today are creating multiple choice test takers when in reality the world is an essay contest.
The 21st Century Coalition for California is currently working with Assembly education chair Julia Brownley’s AB250 and Sen. Lou Correa’s new SB402. Both bills further P21 goals and objectives. For more information visit http://www.p21california.com.
> It is the goal of P21 to integrate these . . . skills, called the four c’s, into all core content areas
> critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration and problem solving skills.
Critical thinking?
“Gee. I think this is too HARD.”
Creativity?
“I never read the instructions. There’s too many words. I just know how to do these things.”
Communication?
“Like, you know, I can’t explain it, but you know what I mean.”
Collaboration and problem solving?
“What should we do, Stan?”
“I don’t know, Ollie. What do YOU think we should do?”
I’m thinking the 81% dropout rate had little to do with relevance and everything to do with having a spine; i.e., the constitution and motivation to stick with something and see it through.
Touching on a related topic, one of the enduring mysteries in education locally was the vicious attack on Cupertino High School in the Wall Street Journal on 11/19/05. The Merc took some delight in reporting on the WSJ attack on at least two occasions: 2/22/06 & 8/24/06.
Just last Thursday (5/12/11), writers Joe Rodriguez and Lisa Fernandez lifted up the scab by quoting a student as stereotyping the diverse young white American students at Cupertino HS. The story goes on with some interesting insights by on-lookers and students. Check it out at:
http://missioncitylantern.blogspot.com/2011/05/guest-post.html
Apparently Cupertino HS has a caste system in place that pushes the diverse white American students away.
What a match made in heaven! Do a little research on both and you’ll find their agendas.
So Joe,
What was the amount of people attending this event?
Approximately 75.
A delegation from Berryessa counted those present, and the highest number present throughout the event was sixty-three.
“These data indicate that the students who dropped out were capable academically yet they were bored with the 19th century classroom structure in a 21st century constantly changing world. Another panelist said our schools today are creating multiple choice test takers when in reality the world is an essay contest. “
I believe High School Districts should be held accountable for any student dropping out , trying to blame the classroom structure because a student feels ‘bored’ is no excuse .
I knew a few drop outs , they wanted their schools to help them , yes to graduate and get their diploma. The vary school leadership made them not want to continue their education . None of them made them get back to class , or offer them some kind of redemptive help .
Some tried to get their GED , but to no success . It is sad that the vary institution ‘High School’s ‘don’t support their struggling students by giving them choices to success .
> It is sad that the vary institution ‘High School’s ‘don’t support their struggling students by giving them choices to success .
Hello? What?
Choices?
Are you suggest that choice has something to do with educational success?
This is a pretty radical notion. I’ll have to think about it.
Maybe I’ll attend an educational summit or two and see what the education expects have to say before I make up my mind.
Well they don’t . Why is the High School drop put rate so inflated ? I wonder sometimes , please forgive me and let me rephrase . The word ‘institution’ I mean High School Districts . They keep records of who dropped out , and they don’t do much about anything for them. Student drops out , there is no knock on the door .
So how do we get them back in school?
Please read here : http://www.womensforum.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3082:why-teens-drop-out-of-high-school&catid=14:education&Itemid=44
Thank You.