Academic knowledge Nineteen states require some form of academic content knowledge for students to be considered college and career ready. Nine definitions include specific mention of English, mathematics, or both, and two call for knowledge in “core” subjects. For example, New Jersey’s definition states, “College and career readiness refers to the content, knowledge and skills that high school graduates must possess in English and mathematics…” (New Jersey Department of Education, 2012), while in Illinois students should be “prepared to take credit-bearing postsecondary courses in core subject areas” (U.S. Department of Education, 2014).
Critical thinking and/or problem solving: Students should demonstrate critical thinking and/or problem-solving skills to be deemed college and career ready. Skills inlcude:
Reasons, researches, analyzes logically in order to investigate topics, and to evaluate, integrate, and present ideas and information…
Evaluates and/or applies prior knowledge of content and situations, including cultural understanding, to support comprehension…
Employs effective speaking and active listening strategies for a range of purposes, audiences, and contexts
Distinguishes between opinions, interpretations, and facts
Uses technology to access and evaluate the reliability, credibility, and utility of information and is able to produce and/or present information
Locates, analyzes, and critiques perceptions, information, ideas, arguments, and/or themes in a variety of text
Produces clear, effective, and accurate writing grounded in textual evidence for a range of purposes, genres, and audiences
Constructs clear and precise arguments to support their reasoning and to critique the reasoning of others
Explains and applies mathematical concepts, carrying out mathematical procedures with precision and fluency in a variety of settings
Solves a range of complex problems in pure and applied mathematics
Makes productive use of knowledge and problem solving strategies
Analyzes complex, real-world scenarios
Social and emotional learning, collaboration, and/or communication
Fourteen states’ definitions require students to demonstrate collaboration, communication, and/or social and emotional learning skills. Twelve of these 14 also require critical thinking and/or problem-solving skills. Delaware’s definition states, “Students will graduate with… the behaviors and skills with which to apply their knowledge, and the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. Each student should be an independent learner, and have respect for a diverse society and a commitment to responsible citizenship” (Center on Education Policy, 2013).
Grit/resilience/perseverance
Sometimes called “readiness behaviors,” grit, resilience, and/or perseverance are included in eight definitions of college and career readiness.3 For example, among other knowledge, skills, and behaviors, Ohio’s definition emphasizes “the acquisition of readiness behaviors such as goal-setting, persistence, and resourcefulness” (U.S. Department of Education, 2013b).
Citizenship and/or community involvement
Citizenship is included in readiness definitions in eight states. To highlight its importance, Oklahoma has renamed its definition “College, Career, and Citizen Ready” (C3 for short) and states “citizen ready [students] will know something about our government and the history of our nation” (State of Oklahoma, 2012). The other seven states include citizenship within the context of what it means to be prepared for postsecondary education and workforce training. For example, Delaware’s definition says, “Each student should be an independent learner, and have respect for a diverse society and a commitment to responsible citizenship”(Center on Education Policy, 2013). Maine’s definition states, “The goal for learners is to graduate from high school ready to enter into post-secondary level coursework (without remediation) or begin a career track in their chosen field, and to enter into civic life” (Maine Department of Education, 2013).
Other additional activities
Only six of 37 states mention an actionable item outside of the five categories above. Of these six states, two include knowledge of technology, three include lifelong learning, and one (Hawaii) highlights responsibility to environment and family—past, present, and future generations. To be considered college and career ready in Hawaii, among other articulated knowledge, skills, and dispositions, students also must have “[b]uilt a strong foundation of identity through an ongoing process of wayfinding to engage in local, national, and global contexts.” Wayfinding in this context means that “students are able to identify their kuleana4 and work hard to fulfill these responsibilities to their families, ‘ãina, 5 community, and future and past generations. Students know what makes their communities unique and become more involved through opportunities such as volunteer service, ecological stewardship, and civic engagement. Students understand and can comfortably interface with diverse perspectives, cultures, and worldviews to flourish in and sustain local and global communities” (Hawaii P–20 Partnerships for Education, 2013)
College Greenlight: Search for colleges and scholarships
https://www.collegegreenlight.com
College Scorecard: US Dept of Ed tool allowing you to compare college results (grad.rates, salaries)
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov
Nevada Career Explorer: Interest and career inventory assessments
https://wcsd.nv.headed2.com
Traitify: Personality assessment connecting your strengths to careers
https://www.traitify.com/work/
Build Nevada: The place to research and find construction jobs in Nevada
http://buildnv.org