What does learning in the 21st century classroom look like? What will it take for this generation's students to succeed in a 21st century workplace? These difficult questions provided an impetus for a group of committed business leaders, educators and policymakers to create the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.21stcenturyskills.org). This partnership has emerged as the leading advocacy organization focused on infusing 21st century skills into education.

Rigor is another issue tackled by the Partnership. Traditional metrics state a rigorous curriculum encompasses large amounts of grade- and subject-specific content. However, a rigorous curriculum, as defined by the Partnership, must also address 21st century content such as global awareness, and civic literacy; learning and thinking skills such as collaboration, contextual learning and communication; information and computer technology literacy skills; and life skills such as leadership, ethics and accountability.

So what can you do as a science teacher? The Partnership encourages educators and administrators to advocate for the infusion of 21st century skills into education by:

1. Embracing a vision of education that incorporates 21st century skills
2. Gathering the right stakeholders including key individuals from the education. business, government, after-school and parent communities
3. Utilizing the Partnership's MILE Guide Self-Assessment tool to determine where you are today
4. Creating a plan of action using the Partnership's interactive guide: Route 21

The Partnership's MILE Guide Self-Assessment tool and Route 21 can both be found on their website. Point your browser to www.21stcenturyskills.org.