Standards for the 21st-Century Learner

Recently the American Association of School Librarians published Standards for the 21st-Century Learner, a document which details learner use skills, resources, and tools necessary for students to become effective, independent and responsible life-long learners. In addition to these learning standards, the AASL is also working on indicators and assessments for the new learning standards (to be published in the winter of 2009), and related guidelines for school library media programs.

In future posts I will report on specific skills, dispositions in action, responsibilities, and self-assessment strategies related to the standards; here I want to present the common beliefs upon which these standards for the 21st century are built.

The first common belief is that reading is a window to the world. Of course this seems to go without saying, but in fact it is important to acknowledge and remind ourselves that reading is a foundational skill for learning. Reading is one of the essential skills that educators teach, and it involves not only "decoding and comprehension but also interpretation and the development of new understandings."

Second is that inquiry provides a framework for learning. Essentially, this means that for learning to occur, students must have not only skills, but the disposition to use those skills, coupled with an understanding of their own responsibilities, and self-assessment strategies. Inquiry involves skills, disposition to use those skills, a sense of responsibly and self-assessment.

Third, ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught. Students are taught to "seek diverse perspectives, gather and use information ethically, and use social tools responsibly and safely."

Fourth, technology skills are crucial for future employment needs. Moreover, it must be noted that technology skills are critical not only for future employment, but also learning, both in the future and now.

The final common belief upon which the standards for 21st-century learning are built is that equitable access is a key component for learning. Whereas the first four common beliefs apply to the learner, this fifth applies to the institutional context. Schools are obligated to provide equal access "to books and reading, to information, and to information technology in an environment that is safe and conducive to learning."

The AASL's Standards for the 21st-Century Learner provide a clear statement of what are the appropriate and necessary ingredients in a productive learning environment. Schools and school library media centers will benefit from this clarity.

To see the full Standards document, go to the AASL's web site.