Define Your Measurements
How will you know when a learner has developed an Employability Skill?
Employability Skills are developed over time, with continued practice. To measure the development of these competencies, consider grade-band progressions, rubrics, and self-assessments for teachers and students.
Tools to get started
Define your Employability Skills success criteria for K-12 grade bands using this template. This will provide clarity to teachers, students, families, and business partners regarding the vertically-aligned expectations for growth and development over time.
Consider inviting more than just educators to engage in this work - business partners may have insights that can shape these progressions in unexpected ways.
Examples
North Carolina
At the state level, North Carolina has defined both "I can" statements and rubrics for each element of their Portrait of a Learner. Explore page 13 of this PDF to see these for each grade band.
Embark Education
Embark Education in Denver, CO is a unique middle school housed within a bike shop and a coffee shop. Students used the Transcend Leaps survey to self-assess their development of their version of Employability Skills. Learn more here.
Logan County, KY
District and school leaders in Logan County, KY defined the desired outcomes and what learning needs to look like on a public website. The site is also used to capture and share photos of bright spots as teachers and students bring this work to life.
Resources
Employability Skills Progress Tracker Template that can be completed by a student, educator, or even mentor
Colorado measures its Essential Skills (ie Employability Skills) using proficiency rubrics
Equitable Education Solutions has partnered with many Indiana schools and districts to define grade-band progressions for Employability Skills
Virginia uses the Workforce Readiness Skills Assessment to measure progress on their version of Employability Skills.