About the Program:
The 21st Century Learning Exemplar Program is designed to be a cornerstone for the next stage of the 21st century skills
movement. For the past 12 years P21 has advocated for 21st century readiness for every student. Thousands of schools,
communities, and thought leaders across the country have helped to define 21st century skills and promote their
adoption. Now, we are ready to lead a coalition of educators and partners in identifying what 21st century educational
practices look like and where they are being implemented successfully.
Through the Exemplar Program, P21 seeks to identify, document, promote, and celebrate examples of successful 21st
century learning. This program will provide educators and communities with a variety of examples to draw from, and
offer policymakers and P21 State Partners local examples to help encourage their support.
Application Process:
All schools and districts based in the U.S. are eligible to apply. After you submit your application, you will receive
automatic notification via email of your submission. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.
Schools that have been selected for an evaluative visit will be contacted and additional materials or information may be
requested in advance of that visit. Evaluative visits will be conducted in the Spring and Fall. Scheduling will be
individually determined based on P21 and school representative availability. Following the evaluative visits, the
evaluation team will make a determination regarding 21st Century Learning Exemplar status.
Completing the Application:
Each school will be asked to provide basic information and school demographic information as part of the application
process. This information will be submitted through an online form. You will also need to complete this self-assessment
and include it as an attachment to the online form. Additionally, schools may attach up to six (6) additional supporting
documents through the online application form. All additional attachments should total no more than 30 pages
cumulatively.
The self-assessment component of this application is broken down into seven (7) sections. For sections 1-6, you will
indicate your school’s level of engagement (if applicable). Using the pull down menu, please indicate whether the area
falls under one of the following:




Not a Focus in Our School
Planning to Address
Initial or Partial Implementation
Full Implementation
For each area you are implementing, please briefly describe each activity and identify any outcomes or evidence that
supports your assertions. Please observe the text limits. Thank you!
1 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 700 ▪ Washington, DC 20001
(202) 312-6429 ▪ Web: www.p21.org
Early Learning Exemplar School Application - Self-Assessment
School Name:
pg. 2
Section 1: Commitment to Learning and School Readiness
Descriptors
Meets the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) quality
measures (cognitive development, social/emotional health, executive
function development)
Choose an item
Partnerships with postsecondary institutions have contributed to capacity
building
Choose an item
Partnerships with local/regional agencies and businesses have contributed to
capacity building
Choose an item
Measure and collect data for school and life readiness (cognitive, physical,
social/emotional, executive function, and P21 skills development)
Choose an item
Please describe implementation activities and any outcome data or examples (limit 600 words / 4000 characters):
Enter your text here
Questions may be directed to Tatyana Warrick by phone at (202) 312-6429 or email at tatyana@p21.org
Early Learning Exemplar School Application - Self-Assessment
School Name:
pg. 3
Section 2: Education Support Systems and Intentional Design
Descriptors
Standards, milestones, and curriculum aligned to learning/school readiness
Choose an item
Instructional systems support cognitive, physical, social/emotional, executive
function, and P21 skills development
Choose an item
Measures of assessment (formative, summative, performancebased/observational) support cognitive, physical, social/emotional, executive
function, and P21 skills development
Choose an item
Learning environments support cognitive, physical, social/emotional,
executive function, and P21 skills development (learning through
play/integrated learning)
Choose an item
Please describe implementation activities and any outcome data or examples (limit 600 words / 4000 characters ):
Enter your text here
Questions may be directed to Tatyana Warrick by phone at (202) 312-6429 or email at tatyana@p21.org
Early Learning Exemplar School Application - Self-Assessment
School Name:
pg. 4
Section 3: Education Support Systems and Intentional Design
Descriptors
Project-based learning approaches and facilitation of learning through play
are utilized regularly
Choose an item
Inquiry-based instructional activities are utilized regularly
Choose an item
Comprehensive and individualized curriculum is supportive of cognitive,
physical, social/emotional, executive function, and P21 skills development
Choose an item
Administrators, educators, and staff have expertise to support learning vision
Choose an item
Please describe implementation activities and any outcome data or examples (limit 600 words / 4000 characters):
Enter your text here
Questions may be directed to Tatyana Warrick by phone at (202) 312-6429 or email at tatyana@p21.org
Early Learning Exemplar School Application - Self-Assessment
School Name:
pg. 5
Section 4: Equitable Student Access to 21st Century Learning
Descriptors
All students benefit from program and services provided
Choose an item
Strategies exist for integrating parents and families
Choose an item
Preschool activities are extended into students’ homes
Choose an item
Please describe implementation activities and any outcome data or examples (limit 600 words / 4000 characters):
Enter your text here
Questions may be directed to Tatyana Warrick by phone at (202) 312-6429 or email at tatyana@p21.org
Early Learning Exemplar School Application - Self-Assessment
School Name:
pg. 6
Section 5: Student Acquisition of 21st Century Knowledge and Skills
Descriptors
There is evidence of student cognitive, physical, social/emotional, executive
function, and P21 skills development
Choose an item
There is evidence of student inquiry and motivation to utilize new tools and
skills for learning
Choose an item
There is evidence of student interest in using media and technology skills for
learning
Choose an item
Please describe implementation activities and any outcome data or examples (limit 600 words / 4000 characters):
Enter your text here
Questions may be directed to Tatyana Warrick by phone at (202) 312-6429 or email at tatyana@p21.org
Early Learning Exemplar School Application - Self-Assessment
School Name:
pg. 7
Section 6: Partnerships for Sustainable Success
Descriptors
Parents and families partner with your school to substantively contribute to
student success
Choose an item
Community partners (including ‘Beyond School’ partners) contribute to your
school’s successful outcomes
Choose an item
Postsecondary partners contribute to your school’s sustainable success
Choose an item
Civic leaders contribute to your school’s sustainable success
Choose an item
Family and student service providers contribute to your school’s sustainable
success
Choose an item
Policymakers contribute to your school’s sustainable success
Choose an item
Please describe implementation activities and any outcome data or examples (limit 600 words / 4000 characters):
Enter your text here
Questions may be directed to Tatyana Warrick by phone at (202) 312-6429 or email at tatyana@p21.org
Early Learning Exemplar School Application - Self-Assessment
School Name:
pg. 8
Final Statement:
Please share any additional information regarding your school and its emphasis on 21st century learning and skills
development (limit 600 words / 4000 characters):
Enter your text here
Questions may be directed to Tatyana Warrick by phone at (202) 312-6429 or email at tatyana@p21.org