If our students are going to compete successfully in the global economy, more must be done to support their acquisition of 21st century skills.

In an increasingly competitive global economy, it is not enough for students to acquire subject-level mastery alone. Skills like creativity, problem-solving, communication and analytical thinking are necessary for all levels of success, from entry-level jobs to engineering and technical fields. However the U.S. K- 12 education system as a whole does not yet teach and measure these skills directly. Some sobering statistics:

• Eighty-four percent of employers say K-12 schools are not doing a good job of preparing students for the workplace; 55 percent say schools are deficient in preparing students with basic employability skills (such as attendance, timeliness and work ethic); 51 percent cite math and science deficiencies; and 38 percent cite reading and comprehension deficiencies.

• A very small percentage of 4th and 8th grade students US students (less than 30%) perform at a proficient level in math, while up to 20% lack the competence to perform even basic mathematical computations.
  

The implications of such trends are troubling:

• U.S. students are falling behind their peers internationally.

We can no longer claim that US educational results are unparalleled. Students around the world outperform American students on assessments that measure 21st century skills.

• U.S. innovation is falling behind.

Innovation and creativity no longer set US education apart. Innovators around the world rival Americans in breakthroughs that fuel economic competitiveness.

• Workplace jobs and skill demands are not being satisfied.

Leading high tech employers routinely lament the lack of a skilled workforce for the jobs of today, and are alarmed by the prospect of filling the jobs of tomorrow.

If our students are going to compete successfully in the global economy, more must be done to support their acquisition of 21st century skills. Without this shift in educational priorities, the prospects for our students-and our nation-will be diminished significantly.

By The North American Council for Online Learning and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills
From Virtual Schools and 21st Century Skills -- Download the PDF

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