200 leaders examine 21st century skills

WEAC Vice President Terry Meyer (far left) talks with Kathleen Cullen of the Wisconsin Technical College System, and WEAC Secretary-Treasurer Mary Bell (far right) talks with Barb Behling of the Culvers restaurant chain during a forum on 21st century skills.

More than 200 business, commerce, government, and education leaders from throughout the state gathered at Madison’s Monona Terrace Convention Center Wednesday (March 14, 2007) for a summit on 21st Century Skills.

Summit participants worked in small groups to answer several key questions.

• What are the knowledge and skills that today’s 8th-grade students need to learn to be prepared to enter the work force now as well as five or 10 years from now?
• What are the 21st century skills that will sustain and grow a vibrant and global economy?
• What are the strategies and actions on which business and education can collaborate to increase Wisconsin’s educational competitiveness?

Elizabeth Burmaster

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster outlined the need for education reform in Wisconsin to session participants, and Pat Alea, co-author of “The Best Work of Your Life,” facilitated small group discussions.

Summit participants’ work will help direct the state’s education reform efforts by defining business and commerce expectations for PK-16 education in relation to work force readiness. Wisconsin recently joined the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and the American Diploma Project Network to support efforts to revise academic standards and ensure that the state’s graduates are prepared for family-supporting jobs or postsecondary studies. Both national efforts require strong business and education partnerships.

“This is a spectacular gathering and will probably serve as the prototype for the country,” said Ken Kay, executive director of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, who attended the summit.“This is the start of a conversation between educators and the business community…and where education needs to go from the perspective of Wisconsin employers who know what skills our students need to know. This is a tremendous starting point. We’re excited to hear them articulate what they see as the skill sets required to be responsible students of today, and workers of tomorrow.”

Organized by the Wisconsin PK-16 Leadership Council and Competitive Wisconsin, the summit was sponsored by Midwestern Higher Education Compact, Council of State Governments, and the Lumina Foundation for Education.

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