Jackie Gerstein

The 2001 No Child Left Behind Act requires technological literacy among all 8th graders.Most schools acknowledge the importance of technology to their students' futures, but while many have made significant gains in building the infrastructure required, the shifts in policy and practice needed to ensure that all students learn to use technology effectively have been harder to achieve. Technological literacy is an essential component of job readiness, citizenry, and life. Students must not only become competent in the use of technology and associated applications, they must be able to apply their skills to practical situations. Most experts agree that students should develop technological skills in the context of standards-based learning. National standards and guidelines have been developed for technological literacy. Key to many of these is the International Society for Technology in Education's (ISTE) National Education Technology Standards, used in K-12 schools nationwide.

So with the focus on increasing  literacy and math scores, has this part of this part of the NCLB mandate been met?  WASHINGTON, DC - Oct. 10, 2007 - A new, nationwide poll of registered voters reveals that Americans are deeply concerned that the United States is not preparing young people with the skills they need to compete in the global economy. An overwhelming 80 percent of voters say that the kind of skills students need to learn to be prepared for the jobs of the 21st century is different from what they needed 20 years ago. Yet a majority of Americans say that schools need to do a better job of keeping up with changing educational needs. In its report, the New Commission on Skills of an American Workforce warned of dire consequences should the country not adopt a strikingly bold approach. “If we continue on our current course, and the number of nations outpacing us in the education race continues to grow at its current rate,” it said, “the American standard of living will steadily fall relative to those nations, rich and poor, that are doing a better job.” - see http://www.skillscommission.org/news.htm for more articles.  Schools need a relentless focus on the results that matter for student success in the 21st century according to The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (the Partnership). The Partnership issued a new national report outlining a compelling framework for 21st century learning: Improving schools requires the nation to redefine “rigor” to encompass not just mastery of core academic subjects, but also mastery of 21st century skills and content.  Today’s graduates need to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and effective communicators who are proficient in both core subjects and new, 21st century content and skills. These 21st century skills include learning and thinking skills, information and communications technology literacy skills, and life skills. Twenty-first century skills are in demand for all students, no matter what their future plans — and they will have an enormous impact on students’ prospects.

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