Spring 2006 Leading Change

Proposed 21st Century Applied Learning Core Skills

These 21st Century Applied Learning Core Skills permeate and enhance the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum. Once the Michigan Merit Core Curriculum requirements are met, all additional elective credits must include teaching and learning of 21st Century skills shown below. The skill categories below represent the skills that all students need to know and apply for successful living in the 21st Century. The high school content expectations must incorporate one or more of the following categories. Assessments in the 21st Century Applied Learning Core Skills often involve demonstration of satisfactory performance by applying the content expectations to real-world tasks and projects, and contexts. Adapted from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php.

Proposed 21st Century Applied Learning Core Skills
21st Century Skill	Course Examples
Global Literacy Understand and address global issues. Learn from and work with others from diverse cultures, religions, and lifestyles. Master non-English language skills as a tool for understanding other nations and cultures.	Fine Arts — Music and Performing Arts — World Languages: including Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Swahili, Hindi, sign language, in addition to Spanish, French, German, etc. — Global Studies — Multicultural Studies: including, African American Studies, Native American Studies, Latino Studies, Asian Studies — World Religions — Philosophy — Anthropology — Sociology/Psychology — International Business — Michigan Virtual High School (MVHS) Online Classes — Advanced Placement Courses — Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC)
Civic Literacy Participate effectively in government as an informed citizen. Exercise the rights and obligations of citizenship at local, state, national, and global levels. Understand the local and global implications of civic decisions. Apply 21st Century skills to make intelligent choices as a citizen.	Student Government — Leadership — Law — Service Learning — Legislative Internship — Business Ethics — MVHS Online Classes — Advanced Placement Courses
Financial, Economic, and Entrepreneurial Literacy Make appropriate personal economic choices. Understand the role of the economy and the role of business in the economy. Apply appropriate 21st Century skills to function as a productive contributor within an organizational setting. Integrate oneself within and adapt continually to our nation’s evolving economic and business environment.	Business Technology — Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Marketing — Global Economics — Junior Achievement Applied Economics — Internships — Life Science / Personal Living — Financial Management — Business Management
Information and Communications Technology Literacy Using information and media literacy skills. Analyzing, accessing, managing, integrating, evaluating, and creating information in a variety of forms and media. Understanding the role of media in society. Understanding, managing, and creating effective oral, written, and multimedia communication in a variety of forms and contexts. Demonstrating interpersonal and self-direction skills. Becoming more productive in accomplishing tasks and developing interest in improving own skills.	Multimedia, Broadcasting, CISCO, Computer Science — Debate and Forensics — Oral Communication — Journalism / Publications — Creative Writing — Drama — Theater Arts — Film and Photography — Desktop Publishing — Advertising — Graphic Arts and Design — Fine Arts — Performing Arts—Dance, Orchestra, Marching Band, Music — Technology — MVHS Online Classes
Thinking and Problem-Solving—Critical thinking, systems thinking, exercising sound reasoning, making complex decisions, problem identification, formulation, and solution. Interpersonal and Self-Directional—Teamwork and leadership, adapting to varied roles and responsibilities, working productively with others, exercising empathy, and respecting diverse perspectives. Information and Communication—Creativity and intellectual curiosity, information and media skills, communications skills, and self-direction.	Electronics, Aviation, Building and Construction Trades — Robotics — Internships — Work Based Learning Experiences — Probability and Statistics — Health Sciences — Personal Fitness and Wellness
Accelerated Learning Acknowledges that students learn at different rates. Can occur at any time in a student’s high school experience. Can assist students in moving beyond grade level, remaining at grade level, or moving to grade level.	Advanced Placement Courses — Dual Enrollment Courses — Online courses — Literacy Labs — Math Labs — Gear Up — Upward Bound — Ramp Up Courses — Mentor Reading — 2 + 2 + 2 Articulated Programs
Michigan Merit Curriculum Total	Total credits for graduation determined by district

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