The Partnership for 21st Century Skills seems like a great organization that has the students best interests at heart. As I was browsing through their website, I was a bit overwhelmed. They have a great amount of information and it is a lot to take in all at once. However, once you start clicking and viewing some information, you see there are some great ideas.
I was surprised to see how few states actually participate in this organization. To me, it seems as though this should be a nationwide initiative. Preparing our youth for the 21st century workplace is something the entire country should be concerned with. Whether we, as a country, participate in this initiative or another, we clearly need to do something to get our students ready.
There was nothing in particular that I saw that I disagreed with on this site. However, I was not extremely impressed by some of the resources they provided. More often than not, I was directed to something that you have to purchase. This quickly deterred me. As educators, we like things that are free. I know not everything can be shared on the web, but spending more money out of my own pocket is not something I look forward to. However, if you are persistent you can find some great sites on the resources page. For instance, I really like the ALEX page from Alabama. It was listed under the math resources and was an editors pick. It had some great information.
I also thought it was interesting that this organization would come in and have a PD day with your staff. I think this would be a great idea and would love to have something set up with my school. However, since Michigan is not a state listed in the initiatives, I wonder if it is a possibility. I also think it would be great for our board to hear what this organization has to say. Sometimes, teachers and educators will know what needs to be done, but the board doesn't necessarily understand the need. I also think it would be great if this organization could send in consultants to walk around the building and give recommendations as they observe our teaching strategies and our classroom set ups. Too often we have PD days, learn great information, but then have difficulty implementing it into our own classrooms. It would be great if a consultant could walk around the building giving suggestions as they see fit.
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I too am put off by having to pay for everything as an educator. If something is really well put together and worth it then I will pull money out of my pocket and pay for it. I guess I just like to share what I have learned with others so they too can be successful. Yet, it is what it is and I guess they need to make money so they can keep doing what they are doing. I found some good resources to utilize as far as critical thinking goes in all content areas. I also think it would be a great thing to focus on for a PD day. I attended another district's PD day because it was open to any educator (it was a Ruby Payne workshop) and found the way it was structured to be very helpful. I can see this partnership putting something together such as this being very helpful!
ReplyDeleteThe district in which I teach is pretty good about providing funding for things such as those listed, but the problem is that you have to wait a year to receive the funding. Almost everything that needs to be paid for has to be budgeted for the following year. It is discouraging to find something that you would like to try but not be able to use it until the following year when you can work it into your budget.
ReplyDeleteI also have the same issue with having to pay for valuable items or resources. Our district has very little money as I am finding out as the newly appointed Math Chair. On a teacher salary, i don't have the finances available to fund things for myself. A PD would be a great idea and I may have to inquire how to have a PD done at our school
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