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NAEA Position Statement on 21st Century Skills and Visual Arts Education (Adopted April 2010; Reviewed March 2013; Reviewed and Revised March 2016; Archived March 2022))

A new set of digital badges aims to help educators and industry leaders better evaluate students’ 21st-century skills. The 21st Century Skills Badges initiative, from Education Design Lab, is based on three years of research, design, and pilots and offers a suite of eight digital badges, often called microcredentials, along with a facilitator’s toolkit, to help educators and employers understand the skills students have cultivated.

Every single teacher is concerned about his/ her teaching practices and the skills involved in this process. How many times have you wondered about a better way to teach the same lesson you have delivered to an eariler class? How often have you used technology to engage your students and improve their learning?

In a recent article, education leaders in West Virginia discuss benefits and outcomes for students participating in arts education, including the impact on student behavior and student success, as well as the benefits of integrating the arts in subject areas included in a well-rounded education.

What does 21st century learning look like? Where is it happening? If your school is making 21st century learning a reality, apply to be recognized through P21’s 21st Century Learning Exemplar Program. Join a powerful network of schools and districts around the country that make engaging, hands on learning a reality for all students.

Last week (April 24-28), the Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21) celebrated Skills for Today Week. Through the release of new tools, resources and webinars, P21 highlighted how educators can integrate the 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity across the curriculum. For the webinar, Teaming Up on STEAM Opportunities, P21 collaborated with Crayola’s Director of Education Cheri Sterman to explore how effective teacher/student and school/business collaborations in STEAM learning can increase student engagement.

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I agree with John King, incoming U.S. Secretary of Education. When asked about his one wish for education, he replied without hesitation—“an effective teacher in every classroom”.