Blurring The Lines For Learning: Youth And Community Centered Responses To The Challenges Of High School Reform

Summer is the time to “blur the lines” for learning. As the newest member of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, Karen Pittman used July, 2005 to take the Forum’s message about the need for strong community learning partnerships on the road. Speaking to educators on opening panels at the NEA Annual conference and the Council of Chief State School Officers Summer Institute, Pittman got heads nodding when she stated: The question isn’t whether learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom and school day help students prepare for and engage in life, work, and further learning. The question is why these opportunities are considered beyond or even peripheral to high school reform.