As more and more states and districts embrace 21st century skills, there is a growing need for assistance in embedding these skills into schools and classrooms. Now, a network of experts will be providing professional development for 21^st century skills. Established by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), the programs are designed to help states and districts design and implement the organization's framework.

Nearly 30 people from 11 organizations are participating. The P21 affiliates delivering the professional development are the Arizona K-12 Center, Atomic Learning, the Center for Education Innovation and Regional Economic Development, Edvantia, The EdVenture Group, Learning Point Associates, Metiri Group, National Education Association, The Teacher Education and Development Group of Pearson, SEDL, and Virtual High School.

Using the framework established by P21, the program's allows for differentiation within states to ensure 21st century skills fit seamlessly into existing state standards and policies.

The affiliate program is designed for national, state and regional organizations that provide training and professional development programs to school administrators and instructional leaders. Upon completion of the program, participants become part of a national community committed to infusing 21st century skills into K-12 instructional practices and sharing their work with colleagues.

The P21 Professional Development Affiliate program is part of the Partnership's coordinated effort to expand the body of knowledge and resources that support professional development in the area of 21st century skills. The program will be offered three times over the upcoming calendar year with a goal of reaching 100 key practitioners and untold numbers of teachers, administrators and students.

Nine states have now committed to the P21 framework for 21^st century skills: Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Source: Partnership for 21^st Century Skills press release, New Program Increases Capacity of Practitioners to Embed 21st Century Skills into the Classroom