Explore the Key Elements

Colorado’s goal for public education is to prepare students for postsecondary education and the workforce. In Colorado, postsecondary and workforce readiness refers to the knowledge, skills, and behaviors essential for high school graduates to be prepared to enter college and the workforce and to compete in the global economy.

To support this goal, the new standards were developed by identifying long-range outcomes for students. These long-range outcomes, known as Prepared Graduate Competencies (PGCs), are the preschool through 12th grade concepts and skills that all students leaving Colorado education system must have to ensure success in postsecondary and workforce settings. PGCs highlight what all high school graduates should know and able to do in all content areas.

Additionally 21st century skills are embedded at each grade level in all content areas. The 21st century skills of critical thinking and reasoning, information literacy, collaboration, self direction, and invention allow students to engage in their education, work, and civic life.

Exploring Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness

Topics included in this section:

• Colorado’s definition of postsecondary and workforce readiness

• The relationship among postsecondary and workforce readiness, prepared graduate competencies, and 21st century skills

Steps:

• View the postsecondary and workforce readiness PowerPoint.

• Read the postsecondary and workforce readiness definition.

Exploring Prepared Graduate Competencies

Topics included in this section:

• How prepared graduate competencies are used in the Colorado Academic Standards

Steps:

• Read the Colorado prepared graduate competencies resource.

• View the prepared graduate competencies PowerPoint.

Exploring 21st Century Skills

Topics included in this section:

• 21st century skills in the Colorado Academic Standards

• Professional activities for exploring 21st century skills

Steps:

• View a flier of the 21st century skills Performance Indicators for Students

• Read a compilation of the 21st century skills definitions for each content area. The beginning of each printable Colorado Academic Standards document also features the 21st century skills in that content area.

• View the exploring 21st century skills PowerPoint to access activities staff can use to explore 21st century skills.

• Use the 21st century reflection sheet to brainstorm what each of the 21st century skills might look and sound like in classrooms. How might classrooms look different if students and teachers embody these 21st century skills?

• Brainstorm the supports teachers need to implement 21st century skills in their classrooms. How might principals and school districts help? How might professional development look different?