The 10 Essential Skills

The Kentucky Graduate Profile is the state’s postsecondary learning framework and outlines the skills needed for success in the workforce and in life. Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) worked with teams of faculty, staff, and employers to create performance indicators that differentiate between three levels of student achievement: baseline, milestone and capstone.

• At the baseline level, learners are beginning to acquire the knowledge or skill but may need guidance or support. Baseline is how a learner would perform at the level of high school completion. 

• At the milestone level, learners can demonstrate competence independently. This is the performance expected at the associate's level or halfway through a bachelor's degree program.

• At the capstone level, learners will apply the competency with expertise and precision. This is the performance expected upon completion of their bachelor's degree.

All students graduating from public postsecondary institutions in Kentucky have multiple, intentional opportunities to develop these 10 Essential Skills through the curriculum and co-curricular offerings.  By equipping students with these measurable competencies, this framework highlights the value of a postsecondary credential to individuals and the state’s economy.

Click on the icons below to access skill-specific information.

Icons for the 10 Essential Skills