Education Experts Reveal Groundbreaking Methods for Assessing 21st Century Skills

Bloomington, Ind. (December 20, 2018)—In Growing Tomorrow’s Citizens in Today’s Classrooms—published by Solution Tree—authors Cassandra Erkens, Tom Schimmer and Nicole Dimich Vagle detail how to design assessment and instruction to ensure students develop critical 21st century skills.

“This book is intended to generate lively dialogue and debate, identify radical new ways to engage and empower learners, and explore classroom cultures where all learners can and do succeed in big and small ways,” explain the authors in the book’s introduction.

Erkens, Schimmer and Vagle note that the rate of change in society is staggering and identify the three primary components of that change as (1) globalization, (2) Mother Nature and (3) technology. The authors assert that student success depends on their ability to understand these components and develop seven critical competencies:

1. Self-regulation
2. Critical thinking
3. Collaboration
4. Creative thinking
5. Communication
6. Digital citizenship
7. Social competence

Each chapter defines one of the seven competencies, examines the instructional implications for the competency and then explains how to assess it. Chapters conclude with Pause and Ponder questions for reflection by individual educators, collaborative teams, schools or whole districts or divisions.

Laura M. Greenstein, founder of the Assessment Network, gave high praise to the book, stating, “Growing Tomorrow’s Citizens in Today’s Classrooms is a timely, relevant and engaging resource that seamlessly combines multiple learning paradigms with seven critical competencies that students must have to succeed in the 21st century. It realistically unifies and balances research with practical applications and strategies that educators can put to use immediately in their classrooms.”

Growing Tomorrow’s Citizens in Today’s Classrooms is now available to order at SolutionTree.com.

About the Authors
Cassandra Erkens is a presenter, facilitator, coach, trainer of trainers, keynote speaker, author and above all, a teacher. She presents nationally and internationally on assessment, instruction, school improvement and professional learning communities.

Tom Schimmer is an author and a speaker with expertise in assessment, grading, leadership and behavioral support. Tom is a former district-level leader, school administrator and teacher. As a district-level leader, he was a member of the senior management team responsible for overseeing the efforts to support and build the instructional and assessment capacities of teachers and administrators.

Nicole Dimich Vagle has a passion for education and lifelong learning, which has led her to extensively explore, facilitate and implement innovative practices in school transformation. She works with elementary and secondary educators in presentations, trainings and consultations that address today’s most critical issues, all in the spirit of facilitating increased student learning and confidence.

Learn more about Solution Tree.