Leader's Guide to 21st Century Education, The: 7 Steps for Schools and Districts, CourseSmart eTextbook

For educational leaders—superintendents, assistant superintendents, district leaders, principals, assistant principals, teacher leaders, and other school leaders.

Also useful in K-12 professional development teacher education classes.

 

Educational leaders get a 7-Steps blueprint to move their schools and districts forward in the quest to prepare students for the challenges of the 21^st century. The book inspires the leading teaching and learning of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.

 

Here’s valuable support for educational leaders faced with the challenges of implementing the 4Cs—critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity—into their education systems. Based on the premise that no school or district is doing real 21^st century education work without a strong leader, the authors focus on creating an implementation-oriented resource for education leaders at all stages of implementation, from early through advanced. It describes clearly what to do once a school or district adopts the 4Cs:

 

Step 1: Adopt your vision:  Use the 4C’s and more.

Step 2: Create a community consensus around the 4C’s.

Step 3:  Align your system with the 4C’s.

Step 4: Use the 4C’s to build professional capacity around the 4C’s.

Step 5: Embed the 4C’s into curriculum and assessment.

Step 6: Use the 4C’s to support teachers.

Step 7: Improve and innovate:  Create a 4C’s organization.

 

Each chapter covers the steps, raises key questions, and poses opportunities for reflection.

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Preface

Introduction

 

Step 1: Adopt Your Vision and Lead

Introduction

8 Perspectives on 21^st Century Life

Where to Start: The 4Cs

What to Add: Beyond the 4Cs

Coming to Closure

A Broader Vision for Teaching and Leadership

 

Step 2: Create a Community Consensus around the 4Cs

Introduction

Use the 4Cs to Lead    

Communicate the Importance of the 4Cs

Collaborate around the 4Cs

Final Thoughts 

 

Step 3: Align Your System with the 4Cs

Alignment: Bringing the Work to Scale

What is 4Cs Alignment?

What Does Alignment Look Like? A Snapshot from Virginia Beach City Public Schools

How to Get Started: Using the MILE Guide Conclusion

 

Step 4: Build Professional Capacity

Introduction

The 4Cs as the Design Principles for Professional Development

The 4Cs as the Focus of Professional Development

The Resources for Professional Development

Conclusion

           

Step 5: Embed the 4Cs in Curricula and Assessments

What is 4Cs Curricula?

Understanding by Design (UbD) and 4Cs Curricula

4Cs Curricula Actions Steps

4Cs and Assessment

The Good News about Assessment

Assessment Action Steps

What’s on the Horizon?           

Chapter Conclusion

Chapter Reflection

 

Step 6: Use the 4Cs to Engage and Support Teachers

Motivate Teachers

Focus on Student Work           

Prioritize 4Cs Pedagogies        

Strenghten the 4Cs Learning Environment

In Conclusion  

Reflection

Exercise

 

Step 7: Improve and Innovate

Introduction: Creating a “Step 7” Organization

Create a Culture that Supports Continuous Improvement

Focus Your Continuous Improvement on 4Cs Teaching and Learning

Expand Your 4Cs Continuous Improvement Strategy to Other Key Parts of Your Organization

Reflections on Continuous Improvement

Conclusion

 

Appendices