A week or so ago I outlined findings and recommendations from a report entitled tough choices or tough times. This report identified changing economic trends and recommended needed educational adjustments to prevent economic decline in the US.
Some states appear to be making a commitment to a similar combination of improved basic skills, a more focused set of goals, and 21st century skills. West Virginia (Technology and Learning article) has committed to such changes. However, what struck me in reading the description of the West Virginia approach was the way the approach was described. In contrast to Tough Choices or Tough Times there was much less of that “if you can’t do it we will find someone else” mentality. Of course, I am guessing the reimbursement model recommended in Tough Choices or Tough times will also not be in place. On the surface the goals seem very similar, the difference I suppose is assumptions about what are the sources of existing difficulties and what sort of changes must be made (tough choices) to create change.
BTW, the West Virginia specifically incorporates technology in the plan. I did not see that topic specifically addressed in the Skills of the American WorkForce recommendations.
