21st Century Skills

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The term “21st Century Skills”

The term “21st Century Skills” was initially proposed by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills in 2006 and has been addressed by several groups using definitions that differ in some respects from each other. However, there is a common core that includes:

• basic skills in reading and mathematics;
• skills in interpreting information (sometimes called critical thinking or problem solving), including literacy in understanding information and opinions presented in the media;
• knowledge of the economic system;
• global awareness;
• support for the activities associated with good citizenship (including responsibilities such as obeying the law and voting);
• skills in working with others (such as the readiness and ability to clearly express opinions, collaborative group skills, and the ability to work in culturally diverse teams;
• the ability to be productive (including a sense of personal responsibility to work hard, efficaciously, and ethically);
• information and communications technology (ICT) literacy;
• creativity and innovation (Kay, 2009; Partnership for 21st Century Skills documents retrieved from www.21stcenturyskills.org dated 2006 through 2009).

Paths to 21st Century Competencies Through Civic Education Classrooms.

(An Analysis of Survey Results from Ninth-Graders, Technical Assistance Bulletin)

Judith Torney Purta and Britt S. Wilkenfeld

Department of Human Development University of Maryland.

A report commissioned by the American Bar Association Division for Public Education and Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Consortium, 2009, page 11.