Synthesize

Begin

Discover

Design

Develop

Language

Language

Throughout this module, you and your team have discussed why students need to be prepared for a rapidly changing world, why postsecondary education is essential for their future success, and why we need to confront inequity in our high schools. Here’s a look at how other high school design or redesign teams have grappled with some of these same issues.

Watch Now: Theory Into Practice

Students in the 21st Century

View all videos

Now it’s time for you and your team to step back and reflect.

Step 1 – Summarize Your Work

Based on the data you reviewed, how well are high schools in your community preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century? What insights did you gain? What surprised you? Where do you want to dig deeper? What ideas emerged from your research and discussion? Working with your team, summarize your conclusions.

Step 2 – Share Your Vision

Now get ready to share your ideas with others in your school and community.

List your top insights about high school graduation, college readiness, and current policies and practices that influence students’ overall success.
What’s your plan for further research and action? What additional questions do you want to ask? Who do you want to talk to: students, teachers, families, employers, college officials, others?
What school design ideas emerged from your work?

Download Students in the 21st Century Insights and Next Steps Poster

More Resources on this Topic

Equity and High School Transformation
In a keynote speech at iNACOL’s 2018 fall symposium, XQ CEO Russlynn Ali urges educators to consider the role of equity at every stage of rethinking high school. A panel discussion among school leaders follows.
Watch
Reform Isn't Enough
In this 2010 sequel to his galvanizing 2006 TedTalk, education visionary Sir Ken Robinson challenges us to “bring on the learning revolution.”
Watch
Communities in Schools
In this compelling TEDx Talk, Dan Cardinali, president of Communities in Schools, makes a passionate case for doing more to help negate poverty’s effect on educational performance.
Watch
Kids Count
The latest edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Book provides a wealth of information on child well-being in areas including health, poverty, and education.
Explore
Segregation, or “The Problem We all Live With”
In this two-part podcast by This American Life, reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones examines the problem of school segregation, its causes, and its pernicious effects.
Listen
Making Space for Voice
How can educators recognize the voices of students of color productively, not paternalistically? Professor Jamila Lyiscott offers a framework for self-reflection.
Explore
Skill Shift
This study from the McKinsey Global Institute shows how technology will change work in the near future, with demand for digital, social-emotional, and analytical skills increasing dramatically by 2030.
Read More
Differing Views on Educational Opportunity
The Brookings Institute delves into recent survey data showing that adults from different racial and ethnic groups can have very different views on whether schools are offering students equal opportunities.
Read More