Ohio Governor calls for a new focus on 21st Century skills in schools

This article, printed in the Herald-Dispatch on Feb. 23, describes a new approach to education proposed by Gov. Strickland. While Strickland's ideas certainly sound relevant, I am concerned this will not turn out to be the solution students need.

The problem, according to the article, is that American students are falling behind the rest of the world in problem solving skills. Here is one of my favorite parts of the news article:

"A growing body of research in cognitive psychology
suggests that minds learn best when memorization of facts is blended with
critical thinking exercises to use that knowledge..."

Really? Are we surprised by this? Anyways...

I agree that 21st Century skills are important for students. I agree that American schools do not focus nearly enough on problem solving skills. But will legislation fix that? The article concludes with this statement:

"Grading the new tests also introduces subjectivity into a realm
where uniformity and predictability are prized."

What should be cause for even more alarm is that legislating and standardizing methods for teaching problem solving introduces uniformity and predictability into a realm where subjectivity and flexibility are absolutely necessary.