McLachlan, Kurt
Abstract: Skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation are necessary for the 21st Century. The economy and the forums of international business and globalization demand skilled workers. Some schools in the United States are producing such workers, however it is unclear the programs and practices these schools utilize.
This study focused on one middle school that showed high academic achievement, as well as boasted a mission statement focused on global skills. The purpose of this study was to identify the programs and practices that promote the acquisition of 21st Century Skills at a school. The research questions for this study included: (1) What are the practices and programs at a school and how are these programs and practices aligned to 21st Century Skills? (2) What is the professional community of the school, and how does this professional community support the programs and practices of the school? (3) What is the perceived impact of 21st Century Skills on the culture and life of the school? The researcher used a qualitative approach to this study, which included interviews, surveys, document review, and observations to provide a full, rich story. Themes emerged during the data collection, which validated the current literature on 21st Century Skills in schools. The International Baccalaureate was a standard 21st Century Curriculum. Alternative assessments were used throughout classes at the school. The Advancement Via Individual Determination, AVID, program meshed well with the International Baccalaureate program and focused on higher-order thinking. Data was used consistently and purposefully by instructors and school staff. Additional studies are necessary, however, to uncover how student support and intervention programs assist students in learning 21st Century Skills.
Keywords: Education, 21st century skills, Education, Innovation, Middle school, International Baccalaureate
总 结：
1、批判性思维、解决问题和创新等技能是21世纪是必要的。经济全球化和大量国际业务需要高技能的员工，一些在美国的学校生产这样的员工,但是目前还不清楚这些学校所利用的培养程序和实践。
2、本研究关注一个有高学术成就和以全球化技能为培养使命的中学，研究问题包括：什么是学校的实践和培养项目？这些培养项目和实践如何与21世纪需要的技能联系起来？什么是专业社区？这些社区如何支持学校的培养项目和实践？什么是21世纪的技能对学校文化和生活的影响？
3、研究者使用一种定性研究方法,包括访谈、调查、文件审查,和观察来提供一个完整的、丰富的故事。主题出现在数据采集单元,用于验证当前文献21世纪技能在学校。
4、IB是一个标准的21世纪课程，选择性评估将使用在学校课堂，数据将一致地提供给教师和学校工作人员，以便如何支持和干预学生学习21世纪技能。
来源：University of Southern California. May 2013, ISBN: 9781267444882, 101p.