ELA Competencies
Each of the Gateways below represents a phase (early elementary, intermediate, middle, high schools) of learners' path through our PK-12 system. By thinking of them as "gateways" rather than building levels, we can begin to re-imagine learning as the constant and time as the variable.
The competencies on this page represent a sampling of the exemplars that have been drafted to date. Some include corresponding scoring guides. If you are interested in learning more and/or in engaging in professional learning associated with these and other competencies, please contact us to see how we might personalized this learning experience with you.
Chart of Draft ELA Competencies (2).pdfLooking for a set of all ELA competencies that have been designed to date? Click on the document on the left to open a PDF in a new window. They are organized by grade level and then by conceptual understanding so that users can see the K-12 vertical articulation.
Because the ELA competencies were designed to be focused on how learners will engage with systems and people, they are a great starting place for any discipline that is seeking broad concepts under which sets of standards can be clustered for students demonstrate transfer of knowledge and skills.
HIGH SCHOOL (Gateway 4): Competent and Confident Thought Leaders
12th Grade:
Exchange complex information and ideas by navigating a culture of power to contribute to something larger than the self. (Note: Universal Construct Complex Communication competency: Exchange complex information and ideas through the use of justifiable modes to effectively meet the needs of diverse individuals and groups.)
Create solutions to complex issues by assessing and marshaling bias, emotion, and relevant information to influence internal and/or external conditions. (Note: Universal Construct Critical Thinking competency: Create solutions to complex problems through inquiry and investigations to influence internal and/or external conditions.)
Drive process/purpose through questioning and synthesizing information by addressing value, authenticity, bias, and impact to expand understanding within a field of study.
Explore the interdependence of divergent cultures and experiences by challenging explicit and implicit assumptions and perceptions to demonstrate that all thinking has implications and when acted upon (or not) has consequences.
11th Grade:
Exchange complex information and ideas through the use of systems thinking to influence thoughts and actions to control outcomes. (Note: Universal Construct Complex Communication competency: Exchange complex information and ideas through the use of justifiable modes to effectively meet the needs of diverse individuals and groups.)
Formulate high-leverage questions by actively listening, reading, speaking, and/or viewing to facilitate open-minded thinking generated within alternative paradigms.
Negotiate genre, time period, and text complexity by code-switching and deciphering nuance to manage personal response to the continuous exposure to text and its influence on understanding of self and others.
Consume and produce information and ideas through the use of justifiable modes to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.
10th Grade:
Perspective Prospector
Make a case that challenging assumptions/perceptions leads to change by using evidence from selected time periods, cultures, or worldviews to show how people are influenced to cultivate wisdom or take action.
Critical Thinker
Anticipate the intended and unintended consequences of actions (or inactions) by mapping cause/effect relationships to trace potentially unforeseen short- and long-term impacts.
Media Master
Analyze the interconnectedness of multiple viewpoints across media by participating as a critical consumer to show that systems thinking improves decision-making.
Competent Communicator
Manage and maximize the exchange of ideas (spoken, written, visual) by recognizing the interconnectedness of ideas and concepts to understand that in a system the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
9th Grade:
Inquisitive Questioner
Investigate relevant issues by creating and utilizing a framework for questioning and navigating print and digital media to see and know a topic from multiple vantages. Proficiency Guide
Nimble Navigator
Consume and produce text reciprocally by cultivating pattern recognition and an awareness of audience to capitalize on the interconnectedness of text and ideas.
Competent Communicator
Manage and maximize the exchange of ideas (spoken, written, visual) through interdependency and networking to refine knowledge and delivery with feedback loops, producing greater impact.
Discerning Researcher
Formulate a course of action with a sequence of steps by generating a vision and facilitating thoughtful planning to produce a cohesive effort toward a goal.
MIDDLE LEVEL (Gateway 3): Adaptive, Self-directed Learners
With this model, we recommend you consider pairing two content competencies with two Universal Construct competencies for a total of four competencies per grade level.
8th Grade:
Inquisitive Questioner
Employ divergent thinking by asking and answering questions that challenge assumptions and perceptions to frame issues, broaden understanding, and lead to multiple pathways/solutions.
Media Master
Predict the influence of mental models on perspectives and actions by assessing relevance, clarity, and accuracy of information to empower an internal locus of control.
Universal Construct: Critical Thinking
Create solutions to complex problems through inquiry and investigations to influence internal and/or external conditions.
Universal Construct: Collaboration
Negotiate in a respectful team process by contributing personal capacity to share ownership of outcomes that are larger than the individual.
7th Grade:
Perspective Prospector
Examine the origin of ideas and their subjectivity using reasoning and evidence to support inferences to map the influence of beliefs on self and others. Proficiency Guide
Critical Thinker
Analyze the interdependence between an issue and its parts by anticipating and leveraging cause/effect relationships to formulate a viable course of action.
Universal Construct: Flexibility and Adaptability
Adjust to novel information or situations with intellectual agility to be successful when facing ambiguity and/or challenges.
Universal Construct: Productivity and Accountability
Exhibit responsibility through persistence and self-direction to produce quality results that add value in an ever-changing environment.
6th Grade:
Nimble Navigator
Predict the impact of the exchange of text/language by analyzing and manipulating its nuances to influence or elicit responses. Proficiency Guide
Discerning Researcher
Devise an approach using systems thinking by surfacing and testing mental models to leverage actions that lead to desired outcomes.
Universal Construct: Complex Communication
Exchange complex information and ideas through the use of justifiable modes to effectively meet the needs of diverse individuals and groups.
Universal Construct: Creativity
Generate ideas by reconfiguring current thinking or by connecting seemingly unrelated ideas for an aesthetic or practical purpose.
ELEMENTARY LEVEL (Gateways 1 and 2): Engaged Meaning-makers
Each grade level has 4 competencies, with each competency occurring once during K-2 and once during 3-5 (a different set of subskills is mapped for Gateway 1 and 2 in each competency).
Seek knowledge
Communicate
Collaborate
Compare/contrast
Make meaning/create clarity
Recognize patterns
Question
Solve problems
Practice metacognition
Demonstrate growth mindset and perseverance
Determine cause/effect
Understand stability and change
3rd Grade:
Construct new understanding based on a synthesis of ideas (both personal and those of others) by examining and questioning a wide range of information to recognize that knowledge acquisition challenges thinking and influences perspectives.
Exchange information and ideas by examining and understanding various perspectives to impact thoughts and actions.