21st Century Task Force Forum

Last week I attended a forum in Boston presented by the 21st Century Task Force. This committee has been organized to gain insight and make a plan for how to approach education in Massachusetts in the 21st century. Their goals are to examine how today’s students learn and how we can best provide an education for them. It is interesting to examine juxtaposition of the challenges that our students face. On the one hand, we as educators need to return to a holistic way of teaching. Educational methods that encourage the development of critical thinking skills, creativity, and community problem solving have long since been abandoned for drill and kill methods that pump out performance drones. On the other hand, we need to tap into the lifestyle and learning style of “millennials”. It is a delicate balance to educate traditional elements through modern technology. Cell phones, texting, digital media and internet are often taboo in the classroom yet this is an enormous part of the lives of today’s student. These technologies are part of who they are. If we are to effectively reach them, we need to utilize the avenues that are commonplace to their intellect. Reaching this new century student with old century goals is currently our greatest challenge as educators.

The forum had an open floor for testimonials from various organizations and coalitions who wanted to be heard by the task force regarding current education policy and practices. Across the board, there was a call for revision in current assessment policies regarding MCAS. The reform requested was based on high dropout rates due to MCAS graduation requirements and the inequity in education throughout the state. There were calls for stronger emphasis on arts and music, and more equitable funding for vocational schools. Attention was drawn to inequities regarding children of color, ELL students and those with disabilities.

Unfortunately, The CARE for Youth coalition was not given time to speak. Although three of the advisory board members and the director, Sarah Steinfeld, had submitted testimony previous to the forum, we were left off the list to weigh in on what we saw as vital to an appropriate education in Massachusetts...Health Education. CARE for Youth advocates for age-appropriate health education to be mandated as part of the core curriculum in Massachusetts. It is currently not mandated and is therefore left to the discretion of each district to implement it as they see fit. It is denial of vital information that is fundamental to the core education of our children. It was disappointing that we were not heard.

We are at a crossroads for education in Massachusetts and in this Nation. Actions need to be taken to insure that our children are provided with their basic right to a free public education. It is imperative to the success of our children and the global economy that we merges modern technology with core educational goals. This is our challenge. To meet this we need to pay attention to the message that our children are sending. Listen to them...they are our best source of information.