Industry News

Ross to Take Reins at P21

• By David Nagel
• 11/02/16

The Partnership for 21st Century Learning has named David Ross as its next chief executive officer. Ross previously served as the organization's chief strategy officer.

According to P21: "Ross brings a remarkable set of skills that he has honed over the years as an educator, journalist, entrepreneur and non-profit administrator to this position. Ross has been serving as P21's chief strategy officer where he has led P21's efforts around the 21st Century Learning Exemplar Program and global education."

Helen Soulé, current CEO, will step down from her leadership role this month but will continue with P21 in an advisory capacity (with the title of senior advisor).

"In this new role, Soulé will work closely with P21's State Partners and its network of 75 Exemplary Schools and Districts," according to P21.

"I am deeply honored to serve as P21's fifth chief executive," Ross noted in a prepared statement. "I have always been a champion for the critical work of P21, so I am committed to carrying on the legacy of Helen and P21's past leadership," said Ross. "Countless schools, districts, and states have already fully embraced 21st century learning and the 4Cs and I truly look forward to working with them and P21's diverse coalition of members to ensure that this high-quality, authentic learning is accessible and available to all students in the US and abroad."

The Partnership for 21st Century Learning is a coalition of business and education groups, ranging from the National Education Association to Intel, focused on technology education and the integration of technology into education. The group provides the Framework for 21st Century Learning, a roadmap for education centered around technology and skills-focused learning. The framework focuses largely on student outcomes in 21st century learning areas, including life and career skills, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, technology and information/media literacy and core academic subjects using 21st century themes. It also includes guidelines for the supports required for 21st century learning, including standards and assessments, curriculum and instruction, professional development and learning environments.

Other current P21 members include the American Camp Association, American Federation of Teachers, AT&T, Crayola, CreativeFuture, Destination Imagination, Education Networks of America, eLearning Solutions, Faber-Castell, First Five Years Fund, Fisher-Price, Ford Motor Company Fund, Future Problem Solving Program International, Goddard Systems, Learning.com, LEGO Education, METEN, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, National Speech and Debate Association, PBS, Pearson, People to People International, Playworld, Project Management Institute Educational Foundation, Qatar Foundation International, School Specialty, SKT Education Group, VIF International Education and The Walt Disney Co.