The symposium participants spent most of their time over the three days in small, facilitated work groups, casting a vision of the future given the exponential changes in store for our community and society. They examined the proud history of accomplishments in Vancouver Public Schools. They also carefully assessed opportunities and threats that will influence the future strategic direction of the school district.

The work groups periodically reported their discussions to the total group, revealing major areas of agreement about the need for transformative changes in:

• The Learning System—how we use time and space

• The Performance System—changes in accountability for both the student and the system

• The Human System—capacity building and powerful relationships and communication

• The Infrastructure System—technology and facilities

Symposium participants were asked to think ahead to the year 2020—when next year’s kindergarten class will graduate from high school. Elements of a future vision for education began to crystallize from the symposium discussions:

• A well-rounded education for the 21st century will require balance. Students will master rigorous, “world-class” literacy skills–in language (English and other major languages of the world), communication, mathematics, science, and technology–and they will apply their skills to solve complex, authentic problems.

• Concurrently, students will demonstrate creative and critical thinking skills, enabling them to draw upon various disciplines in developing innovative solutions. Students also will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become responsible, ethical, and compassionate citizens.

• Students will become more active and involved as consumers of education. Together with their parents and teachers, they will create and manage personalized learning plans. They will understand the learning targets and will show solid evidence that they are progressing toward their goals. They will be empowered to discover and develop their individual abilities, talents, and interests. They will see the relevancy of their education beyond school, and they will form habits that lead to a lifetime of learning.

• With the aid of more powerful and lower-cost technology, education no longer will be bound by time or place. Learning opportunities will be accessible anytime, anywhere.

• Schools will be the “hubs” that provide support for families and enhance quality of life for the greater community. Expanded partnerships will enable a variety of community-based services (e.g., health care, recreation, adult education, parent education, counseling) to be provided at school sites.