Statewide
updated
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 10:16 AM
Vermont has joined the P21 Leadership State Initiative, working
in concert with 16 states committed to fusing the 3Rs and 4Cs -
critical thinking and problem solving, communication,
collaboration, and creativity and innovation within standards,
assessments and professional development programs.
Seventeen states, in total, which educate nearly 27 percent of
students in the United States, are represented as part of the P21
Leadership State Initiative. Together, they are gearing toward
connecting standards and practices for 21st century education at
the district and state levels.
"This partnership allows Vermont to better prepare a system to
develop learners that will be exposed to a variety of expectations,
challenges and opportunities," said Commissioner Armando Vilaseca,
Vt. DOE. "Vermont will better enable our students to be successful
in the 21st and 22nd centuries," he said.
In becoming a P21 State, Vermont has committed to providing
leadership and services to ensure a system of public education
through which all students will graduate ready for the world of
college, citizenship and career. Vermont's vision and action plan
outlines strategies to improve learning outcomes for all students
through 21st century skill development, active engagement in
multiple learning pathways and flexible learning environments.
"This new partnership provides additional capacity for educators
in Vermont as we develop innovative opportunities for students, and
proficiency based pathways to college and career readiness," said
Deputy Commissioner John Fischer, Vt. DOE.
As a P21 State, Vermont will be able to share in the expertise
of the 16 other leadership states, while working in partnership
with the State Board of Education, the Vermont Standards Board for
Professional Educators and pre-service and in-service providers,
the New England Secondary School Consortium, and the Vermont
Department of Education, to foster 21st century teaching and
learning.
"Vermont's commitment demonstrates the growing national momentum
building at the state level to amplify the efforts of local
educators, business leaders, parents and community members working
to transform our schools to meet the demands of the 21st century,"
said Tim Magner, P21 executive director.
"P21 is proud to recognize Vermont's leadership for 21st century
readiness, and thrilled to announce the addition of the great state
of Vermont to P21's growing coalition of education leaders, the
business community, and state and federal policymakers with the
goal of ensuring students are ready to lead and succeed in the 21st
century," added Lillian Kellogg, chair of P21 and vice president of
Education Networks of America.
21st Century Skills Leadership States: Arizona, Illinois, Iowa,
Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New
Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota,
Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
