Forward Thinking, High Achieving: Missoula County Public Schools 21st Century Initiative

It’s no secret that the world is changing – and quickly. Globalization. Automation. Outsourcing. Mobile technology. Today’s students will compete for future jobs that don’t yet exist. So what do students need to know to be successful in the 21st Century?

Forward Thinking, High Achieving: The 21st Century Initiative

Missoula County Public Schools has launched the Forward Thinking, High Achieving: 21 Century Initiative, an exciting project that invites students, teachers, administrators, parents and Missoula’s community-at-large to be involved in re-shaping education by defining our "collective" expectation of the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that MCPS graduates require to thrive in the 21st Century, as well as identifying how schools and educational programs will evolve to meet these high expectations.

This initiative is rooted in a process of reflection on current educational practices and conditions. It invites the creativity and energy of District stakeholders to move beyond what is, and imagine what will be for the future of MCPS students and educators.

Join the District as it embarks on this highly collaborative process during the 2010-2011 school year. The goal is to identify the 21st Century teaching and learning model that will best serve students and educators, the facilities needed to support that model, and a plan for implementation.

The process will be guided by Public Consulting Group (PCG), a company hired by the District to direct and manage the process used in development of the 21st Century teaching and learning model. PCG will work directly with each school and District program. Please note that the District will use donated funds to support this initiative.

Get Involved. Take an online survey. https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?authkey=CMuts5sB&hl=en&formkey=dDc3X0xoUkhFT0o1UjE1ajMxRTVYUkE6MQ#gid=0

There will be numerous opportunities, including surveys, focus groups and community meetings, for stakeholders to learn about the process, participate and provide input. At this time, the Student Outcomes Workgroup is one of several work groups organized by the 21st Century Initiative Steering Committee. The group’s purpose is to identify and articulate the range of knowledge, skills and literacies that a 21st century student will need to acquire through formal schooling. The group has prepared a survey to invite community participation as it shapes a definition of what students willl need to be successful after high school. Click here to complete the online survey. https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?authkey=CMuts5sB&hl=en&formkey=dDc3X0xoUkhFT0o1UjE1ajMxRTVYUkE6MQ#gid=0

Upcoming Meetings.

21st Century Steering Committee Meeting

* 3:45 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23, Business Building Board Room

Project Overview and Q & As with MCPS Board of Trustees (open to the public)

* 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23, Business Building Board Room

http://www.mcps.k12.mt.us/portal/Home/21stCenturySchoolsInitiative/tabid/3037/Default.aspx