As the 21st century quickly approaches, perhaps the lyrics of one of today's popular country songs presents a challenge for the public schools: "How do I get there from here?"

In that context, the two questions posed by the song's lyric are: Where are the public schools today and where do the public schools need to go?

Where are the public schools today? Clearly, to a large degree, the public schools in Indiana have met the challenges of the agrarian and industrial society of the 20th century. The graduation rate is as high as it has ever been; Indiana students consistently score above the national norm on the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) tests in mathematics and reading; SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) scores have improved although a significantly larger number of students are taking the test; the economy is booming; employment is at an all-time high; and students have diverse opportunities in centering the work force or higher education.

Although some educational changes have occurred in our experience, significant shifts in business and society demand that school improvements be initiated to help our youth achieve success in the hi-tech information age that lies ahead.

Young adults in the 21st century will need a revised set of skills to function in the new millennium. The three R's (reading, writing and arithmetic) will be replaced by the three T's (technology, thinking, and teamwork). Don't misunderstand; the basic skills will be as important as ever for academic or career success, but the applied skills of thinking, teaming and technology will be the primary determinates of success in the next century.

Where do the public schools need to go? In theory, it's relatively simple: Get a group of concerned and caring people in each local school district to define the common educational goals, and work together to accomplish the best educational interest of our children. In practice, it's much more difficult to get the kind of collaboration and cooperation within a school district that is necessary to achieve success. At best the broad challenges before us must focus upon two central themes:

*Common goals and clarity of purpose

*Partnerships and shared commitment

Local school districts must provide leadership in establishing the goals for the future. Boards of education, teachers and educational leaders, parents, business and civic leaders, the general public and students must collaborate in the school improvements process and reach consensus, or at least clarify divergent views regarding where education needs to go. SIP, in addition to meaning School Improvement Process, must begin to stand for:

S - Self responsibility of students for their own education

I - Involvement of parents in the education of their children

P - Partnerships with business and industry

As we celebrate American Education Week, local school districts across Indiana must identify the challenges ahead and begin to work together to prepare the youth of today to live and work in the world of tomorrow.

Local school boards must continue to seek input from the entire school community in the process of defining and redefining the mission of the public schools and determining the educational goals for the school district.

Colleges and universities must take a careful look at the new realities of a hi-tech, information age and begin to prepare the teachers who will work in the public schools. The teachers of tomorrow must be motivators of youth and facilitators of learning, not lecturers who sit behind their desks and present subject matter.

Teachers must become more aware of the world of business and industry and adapt their classrooms to the new needs of students - teachers must begin to facilitate learning for each student consistent with learning styles and pace, to develop instructional strategies to promote cooperative learning and teamwork, and subject matter must be integrated into real-life situations and problem-solving experiences that become meaningful to students. Technology must be adapted to each instructional classroom.

Students must also take a look at their attitudes toward learning. Students must strive to become self-directed learners, and emphasis must be placed upon problem-solving and learning how to learn rather than digesting subject matter. Regular attendance, a strong work ethic, a positive and cooperative attitude and an inquiring mind will provide a solid foundation for success in the future, and a command of the basic skills combined with problem-solving and technology will almost assure success.

Parents must get involved in their children's education and engage in a continual dialogue with teachers regarding academic progress. Parents must challenge educators to provide the best possible learning environment and instructional programs for their children.

The business community must continue to open the door for partnership with the public schools. Internships for teachers, career awareness programs with business ownership for students, and continual dialogue with educators regarding the knowledge and skills necessary for success in management or labor roles in the future are vital.

Also, senior citizens and the general community should contribute their years of experience and wisdom to the process of shaping the educational system of the future. If public education is going to be effective in meeting the challenges of the next century and make a difference for the young people who will become the leaders of tomorrow, it is going to take everyone working together! [[In-content Ad]]