Education and Reform

Alan BergmanAllan Bergman, consultant with High Impact in Illinois, prepared a policy paper, "Expanding Employment and Career Options for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum in 21st Century Digital Media and Communications Technology." This policy paper addresses ongoing issues related to increased employment and career opportunities that, in spite of numerous federal laws and funding, have yet to be realized. The reauthorization of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Workforce Investment Act in 2012, provide an opportunity to urge and advance an employment agenda for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.   BergmanDI4.pdf
Partnership for 21st Century Skills

Is your school ready for preparing students for the 21st Century? The Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) has surveyed 500 educators throughout the US to determine how well schools are educating students using 21st Century tools. It is the belief of SIIA that technology can help:

  1. Schools meet the needs of all students
  2. Support accountability and inform instruction
  3. Deepen learning and motivate students
  4. Facilitate communication, connectivity, and collaboration
  5. Manage the education enterprise effectively and economically
  6. Enable students to learn from any place at any time
  7. Nurture creativity and self expression

Progress Toward Seven Vision Goals
The survey results can be found in this report: 09-RSV-SIIA.pdf

P21 LogoThe 21st Century Partnership Skills (P21) is a national organization that advocates for 21st Century readiness for every student. As the United States continues to compete in a global economy that demands innovation, P21 and its members provide tools and resources to help the U.S. education system keep up by fusing the three Rs and four Cs (critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity/innovation). While leading districts and schools are already doing this, P21 advocates for local, state, and federal policies that support this approach for every school.

These links provide background information about P21:
Partnership for 21st Century Skills:
Principles 		http://www.p21.org/documents/Principles%20
and%20Recommendations%20for%2021st%20
Century%20Readiness_ESEA%20Reauthorization_100326.pdf
Partnership for 21st Century Skills:
6 Core Subjects		 http://www.p21.org/documents/P21_Framework_Definitions.pdf
Teaching and Learning for the
21st Century, Report and
Recommendations of the Arizona
Summit on 21st Century Skills 2008 		http://www.p21.org/documents/
arizona_summit_on_21st_century_skills_report.pdf
P21 Results That Matter http://www.p21.org/documents/RTM2006.pdf
Virtual Schools and 21st Century Skills
November 2006		 http://www.p21.org/documents/
VSand21stCenturySkillsFINALPaper.pdf

Top 10 Actions for Educators

Information and resources about education and technology, and digital literacy to better prepare students for successful employment and future careers in the digital age.

Linked Learning Alliance

The Linked Learning Alliance is a statewide coalition dedicated to improve California high schools, and prepare students for both postsecondary education and careers. Academics, technology skills, and work based learning are integrated in 15 major industries including arts and media, information technology, health science, engineering, and public service.

Horizons Report

This report discusses the impact of emerging technologies on higher education from both a learning and teaching perspective, and the time frame for adopting these new technologies. HR2011.pdf