New report aims to bring high schools into 21st century.

The necessity of teaching students 21st century skills-and suggestions to achieve that goal-is the focus of a new report from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

Results That Matter: 21st Century Skills and High School Reform outlines six elements the partnership claims are essential to returning America to a competitive footing in the international education scene.

"Standardized tests alone can measure only a few of the important skills and knowledge students should learn," the report states.

The partnership's vision is to spark a dialogue, said partnership chair John Wilson during a recent teleconference announcing the report. Scott Montgomery, COO of the Council of Chief State School Officers, added that advocates of high school redesign should work together.

On the 2003 Programme for International Student Assessment math exam, 15-year-old American students ranked 24th out of 29 countries. And a 2005 survey for the National Association of Manufacturers showed that 84 percent of American employers say students are ill prepared for the workplace.

"Improving the value of a high school education improves the work force," said partnership President Ken Kay, who was also on the call. Wilson said incorporating the key elements into curricula would increase rigor without creating a need for extra classes. The plan also emphasizes that schools work with business to determine what skills students need. Employees are encouraged to be mentors and businesses should share technological resources.

Suggestions for districts include providing professional development to assist teachers in incorporating 21st century skills into their lessons; providing internship opportunities; and reaching out to businesses and colleges, www.21stcenturyskills.org

High School Dropouts Are Costly

When 1.2 million students dropped out of high school in 2004, it cost the U.S. more than $325 billion in lost wages, taxes and productivity over their lifetimes, according to the Alliance for Excellent Education.

While states report higher graduation rates, research shows that nationally, only about two-thirds of students who enter ninth grade will graduate with a typical diploma four or five years later. The analysis is based on a recent report by Princeton University researcher Cecilia Rouse, noting that dropouts are less likely to get a job and earn as much as a high school graduate, meaning dropouts will pay significantly less taxes over their lifetime.

6 Key Elements:

1. Continue to focus on English, math, science, foreign languages, civics, government, economics, arts, history and geography

2. Incorporate 21st century content into the curriculum, such as global awareness, civic literacy, health awareness, and financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy

3. Teach learning and thinking skills

4. Teach information and communications technology 

5. Teach life skills, such as ethics and personal responsibility

6. Incorporate 21st century assessments into education