Emerging Practices for a Changing World

As companies have adapted to the demands and opportunities of the 21st century, educators and businessmen alike have expressed a concern that children in the United States are not being taught the skills that they need to be competitive in an increasingly global workforce. While some schools are addressing this problem in their programs and practices, it is unclear what they are doing. An urban high school that claims to be embracing 21st century learning was examined in a qualitative case study using a framework provided by The Partnership of 21st Century Skills. 3 relevant themes emerged from this study: 1. 21st century learning is community building, 2. 21st century learning objectives emphasize critical thinking, and 3. 21st century preparation looks beyond the classroom. Based on these findings, recommendations are given for both future practice and research.