On June 3, 2009, Iowa Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey hosted a webinar focused on "Iowa's Path to 21st Century Learning" for the Cyber Summit on 21st Century Skills.

Director Jeffrey outlined Iowa's efforts to implement 21st century skills and concepts in the classroom and change teaching and learning across the state. This is evidenced in the Iowa Core Curriculum, which includes the concepts and skills needed for success in today's world. Iowa's policy initiatives are a reflection of the belief that today's students must be prepared to be productive citizens in a diverse workforce and global economy with advanced technologies.

The Cyber Summit, which took place solely online, brought together thousands of education, policy, civic, community and business leaders to discuss important education reform initiatives. In addition, the Cyber Summit highlighted the national examples set by states like Iowa in ensuring students have deep content knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge across diverse disciplines.

The Cyber Summit was sponsored by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and Iowa is one of 10 states that is part of Partnership’s State Leadership Initiative.

The Cyber Summit continues to offer ongoing discussion tracks analyzing and discussing key 21st century skills and knowledge resources, including:

• The 21st Century Skills Implementation Guides, which outline recommended practices for assessments, standards, professional development, curriculum and instruction and learning environments;
• The Milestones for Improving Learning and Education (MILE) Guide, which helps educators measure the progress of their schools in defining, teaching and assessing 21st century skills; and
• The National Action Agenda, which will set the policy and reform agenda for the months following both summits and be signed by hundreds of education stakeholders.

See a recording of Jeffrey's webinar at http://www.weareteachers.com/web/cybersummit/events. Use the scroll bar find Jeffrey's Wednesday, June 3, 2:00 pm webinar or other webinar sessions offered during this year's Cyber Summit.