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PARTNERSHIP FOR 21ST CENTURY SKILLS BOARD MEMBERSHIP GROWS
Five Education Industry Leaders Committed to Bringing 21st Century Learning to All U.S. Students
WASHINGTON, DC – March 12, 2007 – Blackboard Inc., Discovery Education, Education Networks of America (ENA), PolyVision and Thinkronize recently joined the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, bringing the total board membership to 30-member organizations.
These organizations bring a wealth of education marketplace expertise to the Partnership. Blackboard is the leading provider of e-Education enterprise software applications and services. Discovery Education is the leading provider of digital video-enhanced broadband educational services. ENA is a leading managed internet service provider that provides network and technology solutions for school systems, libraries and governments. PolyVision is the leader in innovation for interactive visual communication and collaboration tools for the education, corporate, government and military markets. Thinkronize is the developer of netTrekker, America’s No. 1 educational search engine.
Each member company has designated the following representative to serve on the Partnership’s national board: Gordon Freeman, vice president education strategy, Blackboard; Steve Sidel, president, Discovery Education; Lillian Kellogg, vice president, ENA; Kimberly Quinn, director, business development/education, PolyVision; and Randy Wilhelm, CEO, netTrekker.
Partnership President Ken Kay said these newest board members will join a dedicated team of national education and business leaders who are focused on achieving the organization’s mission of statewide adoption of 21st century skills. The group is working with North Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin to launch and implement 21st skill initiatives in each state and anticipates adding two to three more state partners by mid-2007.
“We’re so proud to be adding prestigious groups such as Blackboard, Discovery Education, ENA, PolyVision and Thinkronize to our board,” said Kay. “Their decision to join the Partnership is not only evidence of each company’s commitment to bringing 21st century skills to the nation’s K-12 students but also of the growing national momentum to ensure that U.S. students are successful citizens and workers in an increasingly globalized society and workforce.
“Today’s students need to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and effective communicators who are proficient in both core subjects and new 21st century skills. It’s essential that state educators, business leaders and policymakers work together to develop the 21st century learning outcomes that matter most to their local communities and employers. And the members of the Partnership are committed to supporting their efforts to ensure that U.S. students remain competitive internationally.”
About the Partnership for 21st Century Skills
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has emerged as the leading advocacy organization focused on infusing 21st century skills into education. The organization brings together the business community, education leaders, and policymakers to define a powerful vision for 21st century education to ensure every child’s success as citizens and workers in the 21st century. The Partnership encourages schools, districts and states to advocate for the infusion of 21st century skills into education and provides tools and resources to help facilitate and drive change.
For more information on the Partnership, please go to www.21stcenturyskills.org. |
