Personal Skills: A Colorado graduate demonstrates personal skills through self-awareness, initiative and self-direction, personal responsibility and self-management, adaptability and flexibility, and perseverance and resilience. A student with these skills can:P

  • 1

    Self-AwarenessP.1

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Accurately recognize one’s own emotions, thoughts and values and how they influence behaviorP.1.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and appropriately express one’s own emotions, thoughts and values and identify how they influence behaviorP.1.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and assess personal strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism and a ‘growth mindset’P.1.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and adapt to environments with appropriate emotions and behaviors, demonstrate personal awareness through the development of positive relationshipsP.1.4

  • 2

    Initiative/Self-DirectionP.2

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Recognize personal characteristics, preferences, thoughts and strengthsP.2.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and pursue opportunities to engage and learn interestsP.2.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and apply knowledge to set goals, make informed decisions and transfer to new contextsP.2.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and make responsibility for and pursue opportunitiesP.2.4

  • 3

    Personal ResponsibilityP.3

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Handle impulses and behavior with minimal directionP.3.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and discern differences of effective and ineffective processes, communication and tasksP.3.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and regulate one’s emotions, thoughts and behaviors in different situationsP.3.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and develop, plan and organize self-behaviorP.3.4

  • 4

    Adaptability/FlexibilityP.4

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Recognize emotional response to ideas that differ from one’s ownP.4.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and regulate reactions to differing perspectivesP.4.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and look for and value in different perspectives expressed by othersP.4.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and demonstrate ways to adapt and reach workable solutionsP.4.4

  • 5

    Perseverance/ResilienceP.5

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Resist distractions, maintain attention, and continue the task at hand through frustration or challengesP.5.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and set goals and develop strategies to remain focused on learning goalsP.5.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and focus on learning goals by employing motivation and familiar strategies for engagement and evaluate progress, making necessary changes to stay the courseP.5.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and work effectively in a climate of ambiguity and changing prioritiesP.5.4

Entrepreneurial Skills: A Colorado graduate demonstrates entrepreneurial skills through critical thinking and problem-solving, creativity and innovation, inquiry and analysis, and risk-taking. A student with these skills can:E

  • 1

    Critical Thinking/Problem SolvingE.1

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Recognize that problems can be identified and possible solutions can be generatedE.1.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and define the problem using a variety of strategiesE.1.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and make connections between information gathered and personal experiences to apply and/or test solutionsE.1.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and “interpret information and draw conclusions based upon information gathered to formulate a new problem.”E.1.4

  • 2

    Creativity/InnovationE.2

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Demonstrate curiosity, imagination and eagerness to learn moreE.2.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and build on personal experience to specify a challenging problem to investigateE.2.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and engage in novel approaches, moves, directions, ideas and/or perspectivesE.2.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and synthesize ideas in original and surprising waysE.2.4

  • 3

    Inquiry/AnalysisE.3

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Recognize and describe cause-and-effect relationships and patterns in everyday experiencesE.3.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and investigate to form hypotheses, make observations and draw conclusionsE.3.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and test hypotheses/prototype with planned process for getting feedbackE.3.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and make predictions and design data/information collection and analysis strategiesE.3.4

  • 4

    Informed Risk TakingE.4

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Demonstrate a willingness to try new thingsE.4.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and demonstrate flexibility, imagination and inventiveness in taking on tasks and activitiesE.4.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and innovate from failure, connect learning across domains and recognize new opportunitiesE.4.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and act on creative ideas to make a tangible and useful contributionE.4.4

Civic/Interpersonal Skills: A Colorado graduate demonstrates civic/interpersonal skills through collaboration and teamwork, strong communication skills, global and cultural awareness, civic engagement and strong character. A student with these skills can:C

  • 1

    Collaboration/TeamworkC.1

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Recognize how personal actions have had a positive or negative impact on others with feedback as neededC.1.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and recognize how members of a community rely on each other, considering personal contributions as applicableC.1.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and “follow a process identified by others to help generate ideas, negotiate roles and responsibilities, and respects consensus in decision making”C.1.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and use interpersonal skills to learn and work with individuals from diverse backgroundsC.1.4

  • 2

    Communication (using information and communications technologies)C.2

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Articulate personal strengths and challenges using different forms of communication to express oneselfC.2.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and consider purpose, formality of context and audience, and distinct cultural norms when planning content, mode, delivery and expressionC.2.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and “establish goals for communication and plan out steps accordingly”C.2.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written and nonverbal communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts (including multi-lingual)C.2.4

  • 3

    Global/Cultural AwarenessC.3

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Compare attitudes and beliefs as an individual to othersC.3.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and identify and explain multiple perspectives (cultural, global) when exploring events, ideas and issuesC.3.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and plan and evaluate complex solutions to global challenges that are appropriate to their contexts using multiple disciplinary perspectives (such as cultural, historical and scientific)C.3.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and apply knowledge and skills to implement sophisticated, appropriate and workable solutions to address complex global problems using interdisciplinary perspectives independently or with othersC.3.4

  • 4

    Civic EngagementC.4

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Identify and reflect upon personal connections to community systemsC.4.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and connect knowledge (facts, theories, etc.) from personal ideas and understandings to civic engagementC.4.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and participate in social or community activitiesC.4.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and “participate effectively in civic life”C.4.4

  • 5

    CharacterC.5

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Demonstrate an understanding of cause and effect related to personal decisionsC.5.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and state a position and reflect on possible objections to, assumptions and implications of the positionC.5.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and apply ethical perspectives/ concepts to an ethical question/ situation/ scenarioC.5.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and “apply a fundamental understanding of the ethical/legal issues in many context including the access and use of information”C.5.4

Professional Skills: A Colorado graduate demonstrates professional skills through task and time management, career awareness, information literacy, productivity and accountability, self-advocacy and leadership. A student with these skills can:PR

  • 1

    Task/ Time ManagementPR.1

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Articulate task requirements and identify deadlinesPR.1.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and develop and utilize basic task and time-management strategies effectivelyPR.1.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and demonstrate task-management attributes associated with producing high-quality products including the abilities to: • Work positively and ethically • Manage time and projects effectively • Multi-task • Clearly communicating with othersPR.1.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and set personal goals and take responsibility for those goals through reflection upon prior outcomesPR.1.4

  • 2

    Career AwarenessPR.2

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Ask questions and learn more about careers and other life pursuitsPR.2.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and connect careers and other life pursuits to personal interestPR.2.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and “pursue a path of inquiry initiated by personal connections to careers and other life pursuits”PR.2.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and demonstrate knowledge, understanding and personal awareness of how one’s dreams and interests translate into career fulfillment and career pathways available in local, regional, national and global arenasPR.2.4

  • 3

    Information LiteracyPR.3

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Articulate the most effective options to access information needed for a specific purposePR.3.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and identify and evaluate key attributes of a variety of information sources (e.g., books, newspapers, online or print articles, social media) for validityPR.3.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and “examine how individuals interpret messages differently, how values and points of view are included or excluded, and how media can influence beliefs and behaviors”PR.3.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and “analyze both how and why media messages are constructed and for what purposes,” and use information accurately, ethically and creatively for the issue or problem at handPR.3.4

  • 4

    Use Information and Communications TechnologiesPR.4

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Find information through the use of technologiesPR.4.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and communicate information through the use of technologiesPR.4.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and evaluate information through the use of technologiesPR.4.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and create information through the use of technologiesPR.4.4

  • 5

    Self-AdvocacyPR.5

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Appropriately express a range of emotions to communicate personal ideas/needsPR.5.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and ask questions to develop further personal understandingPR.5.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and demonstrate confidence in sharing ideas/feelingsPR.5.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        … and demonstrate an accurate and clear sense of goals, abilities, needs and know how to request and/or acquire themPR.5.4

  • 6

    LeadershipPR.6

    1.  

      Novice

      1. 1

        Model positive behaviors for othersPR.6.1

    2.  

      Advanced Beginner

      1. 2

        … and demonstrate leadership skills (e.g., organizing others, taking initiative, team-building)PR.6.2

    3.  

      Strategic Learner

      1. 3

        … and demonstrate confidence while recognizing that personal actions impact othersPR.6.3

    4.  

      Emerging Expert

      1. 4

        …and educate and inspire others to realize their potentialPR.6.4

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 11, Grade 12, and Grade 10
Where can I read the official document?
Essential Skills Guidance

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