Excellence Redefined for the 21^st Century

Abstract

Based on the perspectives of our symposium contributors, certain twenty-first century themes have become increasingly important in a global economy: 1) individuality; 2) connectedness; and 3) non-cognitive attributes. Individuals are asserting their influence in ways never seen before, thanks in part to technology and democracy. The innovators aren’t doing it alone ironically; they are collaborating, or connecting, with like-minded peers and thinking across disciplines. They also possess certain non-cognitive attributes like motivation, perseverance, and adaptability that employers are increasingly looking for. Recognizing these three themes and their place in education is, therefore, critical to twenty-first century excellence. In this concluding article, the author illuminates each theme and offers a more fitting education approach that hopefully reflects an evolved perspective since A Nation at Risk was first published.