[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 72 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING GREEN LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 21ST CENTURY READINESS

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                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, in order for our students to be competitive 
in the global economy, we must do our part to ensure that they are 
acquiring the knowledge and skills they need for success. The skills 
needed for success go beyond the basics of reading, writing, and math, 
however. When surveyed, employers continually emphasize that, in our 
21st century economy, students need to be adept at critical thinking 
and problem solving; communication; collaboration; and creativity and 
innovation, in addition to being proficient in core subjects.
  While it's important to talk about these skills, it's even more 
important to see and recognize where they are being successfully 
incorporated into educational curriculums at the local level. Green 
Lake School District, located in Green Lake, Wisconsin, in my 
congressional district, is doing a lot of innovative work to prepare 
its students for success in the 21st century economy. Along with 
officials from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the 
Partnership for 21St Century Skills, I recently visited the Green Lake 
School District to learn about their efforts firsthand.
  The School District is home to the state's first 4K 12 International 
Baccalaureate World program. It stresses rigorous academic programs 
connected to relevant real-world project-based learning and skills 
acquisition. The district also recently opened a Global & Environment 
Academy Charter middle school focused on critical thinking and problem 
solving skills in a project-based learning environment. The school's 
focus on interdisciplinary cooperation, global literacy, and creativity 
will serve its student's well as they prepare to enter the workforce.
  It's important that Congress recognize the work that is being done in 
communities like Green Lake and that we look for ways to support these 
efforts. For these reasons, Rep. Dave Loebsack and I recently formed 
the bipartisan Congressional 21st Century Skills Caucus to inform and 
discuss better ways to promote 21st century skills in our nation's 
educational system. I invite all of my colleagues to join our efforts.

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