Purpose of the Toolkit

“In an economy driven by innovation and knowledge ... in marketplaces engaged in intense competition and constant renewal ... in a world of tremendous opportunities and risks ... in a society facing complex business, political, scientific, technological, health and environmental challenges ... and in diverse workplaces and communities that hinge on collaborative relationships and social networking ... the ingenuity, agility and skills of the American people are crucial to U.S. competitiveness.” (1) 

The purpose of the International Benchmarking Toolkit is to provide strategies, policies, information and other resources educators and policymakers at any level — school, district or state — can use to move toward benchmarking to international standards. These tools may be adopted in total, or adapted or implemented in phases that make sense to the user.

No one need wait for a full-blown national or state initiative on international benchmarking to get started on what needs to be done to increase the skills of our students and increase their competitiveness in the global workforce.

International Benchmarking tools are listed for school, district and state levels, under four major components that correspond to the Blueprint:

• International Standards
• Quality Instruction
• Professional Development
• Assessment.

Footnotes:

1. Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 21st Century Skills, Education & Competitiveness: A Resource and Policy Guide, 1, 2008, http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/documents/21st_century_skills_education_
   and_competitiveness_guide.pdf.