Twenty-first century skills: A needs assessment of school-based agricultural education teachers Weeks

(2019)

Preparing students to be career-and-work ready is a concem of educators and schools nationwide.

Twenty-first century skills prepare students to enter the workforce or higher education with the ability
to think critically and creatively, collaborate with others, take the initiative when approached with a
task, and use technology to its fullest potential. If students are not leaming the skills needed for success,
it is because educators and schools are not teaching them. When students possess these skills, they are
prepared to work in teams, think critically and creatively about a problem, display leadership and social
skills, and communicate effectively with others. This research sought to identify school-based agriculture
education teachers' perceived knowledge, importance, and ability to teach these 21" century skills in the
classroom. Results showed that agriculture teachers nationwide find 21 century skills to be important,
but they are less knowledgeable and able to teach them. The research concluded that professional
development is needed to increase teachers knowledge of and ability to teach 21 century skills.
Professional development will allow school-based agricultural education teachers to gain specific and
applicable strategies for implementation. With the application of 21" century skills in the school-based
agricultural education classroom, students will become better prepared to enter the workforce or higher
education upon graduating high school.

(Wooky, K. (2019) Twenty-first century skills: A needs assessment