ABSTRACT
The journey to productive adulthood has become an increasingly complex assignment for young people-as has the work involved in directing, guiding, and supporting youth along that road. Labor economists and child development specialists both observe that successful adult life today requires an unprecedented set of technical and interpersonal skills. For example, in their groundbreaking book, Teaching the New Basic Skills: Principles for Educating Children to Thrive in a Changing Economy, labor economists Richard Murnane and Frank Levy (1996) outlined the qualifications deemed essential by today’s business leaders:
• Literacy and numeracy at a minimum ninth grade level; • Problem-solving abilities; • Critical thinking skills; • Knowledge of and comfort with technology; and • Ability to work in groups with people of varied backgrounds.
