December 10, 2008 Newsnight: 21st Century Skills Report Play video

(NECN) - Governor Deval Patrick had reason to crow yesterday. On the latest trends in international mathematics and science study, Massachusetts students outperformed their peers nationwide. In fact they were right up there with kids from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.

On the other hand, there's always room for improvement. A recent report of the Task Force on 21st Century Skills is getting lots of attention. The report found that "We are failing far too many students, losing too many through dropping out and numbing too many with boredom. Too many high school graduates require remedial help when they get to college."

Jim's guests on Newsnight are engaged in the education debate.

Geral Chertavian, is on the board of elementary and secondary education, chairman of the Task Force on 21st Century Skills and founder and CEO of Year Up. Charles Chieppo is a senior fellow of the Pioneer Institute.