COLUMBUS — October 23, 2009 — The Ohio Education Association (OEA) applauds Ohio’s membership in the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), the leading national advocacy organization focused on integrating 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills, into core subjects.
For teachers, incorporating 21st century skills into curriculum supports best pedagogical practices and allows teachers to redesign where and how students will be learning. It also offers welcome opportunities for meaningful professional learning and innovative leadership. “To compete for the jobs of the future, Ohio’s students must develop skills like critical thinking, problem solving, global awareness and understanding today’s communication and media environment,” said OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks.
In a statement, Governor Ted Strickland noted that Ohio is committed to providing every student with the skills and knowledge that will help them succeed after graduation in a fast-moving world where jobs are constantly advancing. “It’s no secret that companies look for new employees who are innovative, think critically, and know how to solve complex problems,” Strickland said. “We’re preparing our students for the cutting-edge jobs of the modern economy.”
OEA agrees and will support this effort as educators work to update Ohio curriculum and teaching strategies through House Bill 1 reform initiatives, Frost-Brooks said.
Along with Governor Strickland and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle, the initiative is supported by ranking members of Ohio’s House and Senate Education Committees, the state Board of Education of Ohio, the Ohio Board of Regents, the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the Ohio Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Administrators, the Ohio STEM Learning Network, netTrekker, the KnowledgeWorks Foundation and others.
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The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org
