North Carolina’s Student Success Standards are designed to support the whole child by focusing on academic, career, and social-emotional development. These standards help students build skills in areas such as goal setting, problem solving, decision making, communication, and self-management. By addressing both personal and academic growth, the Student Success Standards prepare students to be resilient, responsible, and ready for life beyond the classroom.

Families can support these skills at home by encouraging open conversations, setting routines and goals together, and modeling healthy decision making. Additional resources for parents include NC Department of Public Instruction for standards information, CASEL for social-emotional learning strategies, and Parent Toolkit for practical tips to support student growth.

Student Success Standards for Grades K-5

Mindsets

Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being
Sense of acceptance, respect, support and inclusion for self and others in the school environment
Positive attitude toward work and learning
Self-confidence in ability to succeed
Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes
Understanding that postsecondary education and lifelong learning are necessary for long-term success

BEHAVIORS

Learning Strategies

Critical thinking skills to make informed decisions
Creative approach to learning, tasks and problem solving
Time-management, organizational and study skills
Self-motivation and self-direction for learning
Media and technology skills to enhance learning
High-quality standards for tasks and activities
Long- and short- term academic, career and social/emotional goals
Engagement in challenging coursework
Decision-making informed by gathering evidence, getting others’ perspectives and recognizing personal bias
Participation in enrichment and extracurricular activities

Self-Management Skills

Responsibility for self and actions
Self-discipline and self-control
Independent work
Delayed gratification for long-term rewards
Perseverance to achieve long and short term goals
Ability to identify and overcome barriers
Effective coping skills
Balance of school, home and community activities
Personal safety skills
Ability to manage transitions and adapt to change

Social Skills

Effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills
Positive, respectful and supportive relationships with students who are similar and different from them
Positive relationships with adults to support success
Empathy
Ethical decision-making and social responsibility
Effective collaboration and cooperation skills
Leadership and teamwork skills to work effectively in diverse groups
Advocacy skills for self and others and ability to assert self, when necessary
Social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment
Cultural awareness, sensitivity and responsiveness

NCSCOS Quick

Reference Guides

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

RCSNC Elementary Common Websites & Applications

Additional Resources Used for Classroom Instruction

Rutherford County Schools provides students with access to a variety of approved online tools and educational websites that support learning anytime and anywhere. These resources offer interactive activities and materials aligned to the curriculum. Some tools require student accounts, which may involve limited sharing of basic information such as name, date of birth, or email. Parental consent is required for students to create and use these accounts, ensuring compliance with state and federal privacy regulations.

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