A Formative Check of 21st Century Relevance

Redefining 'Rigor'

In their Education Week Commentary, Ken Kay and G. Thomas Houlihan argue that most high school reform initiatives focus on traditional metrics, which are no longer sufficient indicators of student preparedness.

A more meaningful, ambitious high school reform agenda, they write, can only be reached when high schools succeed in preparing every student for today's global challenges by aligning their improvement efforts with all the results that matter—mastery of core subjects and 21st-century skills.

Are U.S. schools teaching the skills necessary to compete in a global economy? What skills should be emphasized more?

Join our discussion forum, and tell us what you think.

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills Report
http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/documents/RTM2006.pdf