We have all heard the phrase, "hindsight is 20/20," meaning that after time has passed, we can see clearly what we would have, could have, or should have done. When we are in the year 2020, will we look back at the past 12 years and think about what we should have done to prepare our current 1st graders for the uncharted world that awaits them? Will we wish that we could have taught our young people more technology? Would we have taught more analytical thinking in our lessons if we were focused on preparing students for the world of work in 2020 instead of for 2008's standardized tests? Will we wish we had spent less time teaching about information acquisition and more about information use? How can we, in 2009, equip learners for success in a truly global marketplace?
The 2009 ASCD Annual Conference theme, "Learning Beyond Boundaries," holds great promise for us as educators. If we can teach our students to learn from best practicesin the world as well as in their school, state or province, region, or country, perhaps we will have prepared them well for productive jobs and engaging lives in 2020.
The ASCD Board of Directors studies schools in different countries to learn about best practices, seeking to understand challenges and successes in learning environments across the globe. As members of an international organization, we have a golden opportunity to understand the global aspect of learning from colleagues. Exchanging ideas with a fellow ASCD member who has a similar role is only a click away with technology.
Have you noticed how the Whole Child Initiative is gaining traction in different learning environments around the world? The Whole Child Compact calls for students to be engaged and challenged. In a recent study in Singapore, ASCD's Board of Directors learned about the intense math and science curriculum, but the focus was not on academics alone. Schools were also visibly fostering good character, citizenship, and habits of mind. In Singapore, we saw schools specifically teaching the kinds of learning espoused by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.21stcenturyskills.org), which ASCD recently joined. It touts skills like critical thinking, problem solving, communication, technology, entrepreneurship, self-direction, world languages, and global awareness.
In December, at Virginia ASCD's conference, a full house of educators heard Tony Wagner share insights about his research into the global achievement gap (see the October 2008 Educational Leadership issue, "Expecting Excellence," for his article "Rigor Redefined" to learn how even our "best" schools are failing to prepare students for 21st century careers and citizenship). Wagner cites survival skills 21st century learners need: critical thinking, problem solving, the ability to collaborate across networks and lead by influence, agility, adaptability, initiative, entrepreneurialism, effective oral and written communication, the ability to access and analyze information, curiosity, and imagination.
Change is in the air, and 2009 is a great time to be an educator. We need to initiate invigorating, energizing changes to foster conditions in schools in which all children are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. This new year is a wonderful time to use our influence to advocate for policy changes that yield conditions to support whole-child learning at high levels.