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What Skills Will Today's Graduates Need?
The world is changing rapidly. How can schools ensure that students today are prepared to succeed tomorrow?
With generative AI emerging as a disruptive force across different industries, big data and cybersecurity coming to the fore as growing career fields, and technological innovation making new things possible every day, it's difficult to predict what's around the corner for today's graduates. In fact, the World Economic Forum predicts that 22% of jobs will be disrupted by 2030, underscoring the fact that many of today's young people will be working in fields that might not currently exist. However, despite the prevailing narratives about technology, the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report paints a clear picture: the most valuable skills for today's students aren't just technical—rather, they're deeply cognitive, creative, and human. Analytical thinking, curiosity, resilience, and flexibility are essential for the next decade's economy.
World Economic Forum Top Five Skills On The Rise for 2027
- Creative thinking
- Analytical thinking
- Technological Literacy
- Curiosity & Lifelong Learning
- Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility
The Skills on the Rise list raises a critical question: how can K-12 schools prepare students for this future?
1. Prioritize Real-World Problem-Solving.
Life doesn't come with a script, yet too often "getting by" in school looks like following a recipe. Students should be challenged to analyze material and create their own modes of understanding through inquiry, experimentation, debate, and reflection. This means less focus on rote learning and more focus on open-ended outcomes.
2. Emphasize Adaptability & Resilience.
Students today must be able to pivot and thrive in uncertainty. That means grappling with setbacks, viewing "failure" as an essential component of the learning process, and treating learning as a lifelong pursuit—not just something you do to pass next week's test. Students should be given agency in their learning and encouraged to bring their passions to bear as they work on projects that are challenging and relevant for them.
3. Break The Silos of the Traditional Curriculum
In today's world, the most challenging problems have interdisciplinary solutions—students must think like scientists, artists, speakers, and engineers all at the same time. This means incorporating technological literacy and ethics into all subjects (not just computer science class), encouraging students to "learn how to learn" by seeking knowledge outside the classroom, and framing skill acquisition as a lifelong pursuit.
Final Thoughts
To adequately prepare students for a rapidly changing world, it is essential that schools encourage these habits of mind as part of their academic program. The Miami Valley School (MVS) is leading the way with its signature MVS Immersion Method™, which encourages students to explore, connect, share, and reflect as part of the school's mission to educate self-sustaining learners and compassionate global citizens.
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World Economic Forum Top Five Skills On The Rise for 2027
- Creative thinking
- Analytical thinking
- Technological Literacy
- Curiosity & Lifelong Learning
- Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility
The Skills on the Rise list raises a critical question: how can K-12 schools prepare students for this future?
1. Prioritize Real-World Problem-Solving.
Life doesn't come with a script, yet too often "getting by" in school looks like following a recipe. Students should be challenged to analyze material and create their own modes of understanding through inquiry, experimentation, debate, and reflection. This means less focus on rote learning and more focus on open-ended outcomes.
2. Emphasize Adaptability & Resilience.
Students today must be able to pivot and thrive in uncertainty. That means grappling with setbacks, viewing "failure" as an essential component of the learning process, and treating learning as a lifelong pursuit—not just something you do to pass next week's test. Students should be given agency in their learning and encouraged to bring their passions to bear as they work on projects that are challenging and relevant for them.
3. Break The Silos of the Traditional Curriculum
In today's world, the most challenging problems have interdisciplinary solutions—students must think like scientists, artists, speakers, and engineers all at the same time. This means incorporating technological literacy and ethics into all subjects (not just computer science class), encouraging students to "learn how to learn" by seeking knowledge outside the classroom, and framing skill acquisition as a lifelong pursuit.
Final Thoughts
To adequately prepare students for a rapidly changing world, it is essential that schools encourage these habits of mind as part of their academic program. The Miami Valley School (MVS) is leading the way with its signature MVS Immersion Method™, which encourages students to explore, connect, share, and reflect as part of the school's mission to educate self-sustaining learners and compassionate global citizens.
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