In recent years, there has been much talk nationwide about preparing our youth for post-secondary education and the workforce by making our students college, career and civic ready or life ready.
Beyond academic mastery, it includes foundational knowledge, skills and habits such as a strong work ethic, the ability to collaborate, time management, problem solving and a sense of civic duty. It incorporates an awareness of talents, weaknesses and an understanding of the skills and mindset necessary for engaging and succeeding in our evolving, global society.
The mission and vision of our schools includes empowering our students to embrace challenges and future opportunities as they become informed and productive global citizens in our society. This is supported by the Next Generation Learning Standards, NGLS. The NGLS promote critical thinking and college and career readiness with the goal to better prepare our students to become lifelong creative learners, collaborators, communicators, and critical thinkers who effectively participate and then lead in civic, community and professional endeavors. Students need to develop grit, a combined passion and perseverance towards meeting their life and career goals.
Communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity are considered key 21st century skills. Reports have shown that 60 percent of employers complain new hires do not possess these important soft skills as there is often disconnect in applying these skills to real life scenarios. Twenty-first century readiness also refers to information, media, communication and technology literacy. Many jobs, even those formerly considered purely vocational, now incorporate high-tech skills requiring specialized knowledge based on computerized machinery.
Freeport’s schools prepares our students for college, career and civic readiness beginning in our elementary grades. Social Emotional Learning, SEL, is aligned with 21st century skills. SEL builds on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. We have SEL standards and curriculum in place to teach our students these vital skills leading to better communication, collaboration and problem-solving abilities.
Dr. Kishore Kuncham is the superintendent of Freeport Public Schools.