Is Mexico ready to implement a 21st-century framework at upper secondary school?

Objective: This study aims to explore whether Mexico is ready to implement a 21st century framework at upper secondary school by undertaking an analysis on how the new upper secondary school curriculum in Mexico captures 21st-century skills as well as teacher’s perceptions of success. Method: The design of the study complies a comparison analysis between the Mexican upper secondary school curriculum and a 21st-century skills framework. Additionally, qualitative data on teachers’ perceptions of success is collected through eight focus groups in 4 States of Mexico. Results: The findings show that the curriculum is short of 21st-century skills strategies. Moreover, although teachers welcome the 21st-century skills, they perceive lack of support and doubt about students’ capabilities to learn. Conclusions: Although Mexico has progressed in providing a 21st-century skill learning environment through the new curriculum, the educational system remains with the opportunity to revise the curriculum in order to offer a more suitable and adequate framework for the implementation of 21st-century skills.