The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development recognizes that public schools must go far beyond minimum standards and achievement tests if we are to prepare students to be successful in a complex global society. This responsibility requires schools to prepare students for technological, cultural, economic, informational, and demographic changes. ASCD supports changes in teaching, learning and leadership that prepares students for a new world order. We acknowledge the role that multiple languages, cultures, and interpersonal relationships must play in a world that is becoming increasingly more interdependant and complex. To this extent ASCD and it's leaders in states like Virginia support the concept that students must:
- Acquire and apply core knowledge and critical thinking skill sets
- Demonstrate creativity, innovation, and flexibility
- Make decisions and solve problems ethically and collaboratively
- Utilize knowledge and technology to gather, analyze, and synthesize information
- Display leadership skills that inspire others to achieve, serve and work together
Students must be equipped with the skills that allow them to serve as active participants and leaders of change. High-quality instructional programs must have the tools and resources that are fundamental in the age of information. Support for public education and reforms that meet 21st century expectations must be embraced by public officials and policy makers across the Commonwealth of Virginia and America. Resouces for educating children of all backgrounds are thin at best and public schools are doing everything in their power to not only meed the mandates imposed by state and federal politicians, but to provide a level playing field for students regardless of background or economic status. American became the greatest counrty in the world due to the strength of our teachers and educational leaders. If we are to maintain a leadership position in a global society, then we must invest in the futue of public education for the sake of our democratic way of life and place in a world with diminishing borders.
At present I am struck by two ways schools needs to evolve to educate students for a changing world: (1)the teaching and learning process must include the current reality of how technology impacts the way today's students learn and communicate; (2)the assessment system must change to include the assessment of 21st century skills---problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. While I don't dispute the existence of a body of foundational knowledge students must know, access to this growing body of knowledge has become much easier---a fact that should also shape the shift to a stronger emphasis on applying, analyzing, and evaluating information.
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