Career Ready (CAR): Students will create a plan for their future education, training, and career goals based on research and exploration of their options.

  • 1

    Career Awareness (KNOW): KNOW how interests, skills, and strengths connect learning to career opportunities in their future.WCRS.CAR.1

    1. A

      Discover:WCRS.CAR.1.A

      1. 1

        career clusters and pathwaysWCRS.CAR.1.A.1

      2. 2

        emerging and in-demand careersWCRS.CAR.1.A.2

      3. 3

        postsecondary education and training optionsWCRS.CAR.1.A.3

      4. 4

        entrepreneurship pros and cons WCRS.CAR.1.A.4

    2. B

      Create future career and education goals that are informed by their personal: WCRS.CAR.1.B

      1. 1

        interestsWCRS.CAR.1.B.1

      2. 2

        skillsWCRS.CAR.1.B.2

      3. 3

        work valuesWCRS.CAR.1.B.3

      4. 4

        areas of strengths and challengesWCRS.CAR.1.B.4

      5. 5

        aspirations and lifestyle choicesWCRS.CAR.1.B.5

    3. C

      Understand that making career and education decisions will evolve in an ever-changing world of work throughout their lifetime. WCRS.CAR.1.C

    4. D

      Understand the impacts of earning potential and the total cost of education or training on a chosen career pathway.WCRS.CAR.1.D

    5. E

      Use labor market information to determine how current and future job demand impacts salary and job availability. WCRS.CAR.1.E

  • 2

    Career Exploration (EXPLORE); EXPLORE multiple career and educational choices to evaluate how they compare and contrast to personal interests and skills.WCRS.CAR.2

    1. A

      Identify emerging and in-demand careers and entrepreneurship opportunities that align with personal interests, skills, and work values.WCRS.CAR.2.A

    2. B

      Compare the effect of personal income and student loan debt on financial goals.WCRS.CAR.2.B

    3. C

      Evaluate the need for lifelong learning to navigate one’s career in a diverse and changing economy. WCRS.CAR.2.C

    4. D

      Explain how some high-leverage skills transfer across multiple career opportunities.WCRS.CAR.2.D

  • 3

    Career Planning (PLAN); Based on what they know and have explored, develop a PLAN to reach individual education career goals.WCRS.CAR.3

    1. A

      Discuss and evaluate career area(s) of interest based on labor market information such as long-term projections of total annual job openings, salary ranges, and costs of postsecondary education and training.WCRS.CAR.3.A

    2. B

      Compare and contrast postsecondary education and training options for career area(s) of interest including: WCRS.CAR.3.B

      1. 1

        four-year collegeWCRS.CAR.3.B.1

      2. 2

        technical collegeWCRS.CAR.3.B.2

      3. 3

        registered apprenticeships WCRS.CAR.3.B.3

      4. 4

        military trainingWCRS.CAR.3.B.4

      5. 5

        industry-recognized credentialsWCRS.CAR.3.B.5

      6. 6

        startup incubators, andWCRS.CAR.3.B.6

      7. 7

        on-the-job training.WCRS.CAR.3.B.7

    3. C

      Create and regularly update an academic and career plan for high school and for after high school, with trusted adults, that aligns with career area(s) of interest.WCRS.CAR.3.C

  • 4a

    Career Preparation (GO): GO into the community to implement an individual career plan to learn in a variety of workplace settings and industries.WCRS.CAR.4a

    1. A

      Utilize education, workplace, and extracurricular experiences to reevaluate one’s academic and career plan with trusted adults on a regular basis.WCRS.CAR.4a.A

    2. B

      Identify and access career resources and support systems both virtual and in-person.WCRS.CAR.4a.B

    3. C

      Learn how to create a professional network and understand the impact that one’s professional brand and social media footprint have on future employability. WCRS.CAR.4a.C

    4. D

      Acquire job-seeking skills, including interviewing, resume writing, and completing job applications.WCRS.CAR.4a.D

  • 4b

    Postsecondary Education and Training Preparation (GO): GO into the community to put an individual postsecondary education and training plan into action. WCRS.CAR.4b

    1. A

      Learn how to navigate the application process for each of the postsecondary education and training options:WCRS.CAR.4b.A

      1. 1

        technical collegeWCRS.CAR.4b.A.1

      2. 2

        four-year collegeWCRS.CAR.4b.A.2

      3. 3

        registered apprenticeshipWCRS.CAR.4b.A.3

      4. 4

        military service.WCRS.CAR.4b.A.4

    2. B

      Know the financial resources available that support postsecondary educational goals.WCRS.CAR.4b.B

    3. C

      Create a financial plan to support postsecondary education and training thatincludes a plan on how student loans will be repaid.WCRS.CAR.4b.C

Learning Ready (LRN): Students will understand how K-12 classroom learning will prepare them for careers and lifelong learning.

  • 1

    Academic Skills Acquire academic skills and real-life experiences to prepare for future education and a career.WCRS.LRN.1

    1. A

      Engage in challenging courses and opportunities that align with academic and career goals. WCRS.LRN.1.A

    2. B

      Recognize academic strengths and challenges, and utilize digital tools in order to create, track, and manage academic goals.WCRS.LRN.1.B

    3. C

      Learn how academic skills and content can be applied in various careers and workplace settings. WCRS.LRN.1.C

    4. D

      Be eager and willing to learn new knowledge and skills.WCRS.LRN.1.D

  • 2

    Critical thinking and problem-solving: Develop the motivation and acquire the critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills needed to prepare for future education and careers.WCRS.LRN.2

    1. A

      Find and use unbiased, rational information to defend ideas and make decisions.WCRS.LRN.2.A

    2. B

      Use design thinking and valid research practices to develop solutions to authentic problems and opportunities.WCRS.LRN.2.B

    3. C

      Develop persistence, initiative, and self-direction in problem-solving and goal attainment.WCRS.LRN.2.C

  • 3

    Innovation mindset and skills: Develop a spirit of innovation and creativity that encourages educational risk-taking, acceptance of failure, and learning from mistakes in pursuit of achieving a goal.WCRS.LRN.3

    1. A

      Express creatively, think critically, and produce innovative products and processes by utilizing technology. WCRS.LRN.3.A

    2. B

      Develop the confidence to take risks and build a tolerance for ambiguity. WCRS.LRN.3.B

    3. C

      Understand entrepreneurial processes, basic business functions, and how entrepreneurship applies to various industries. WCRS.LRN.3.C

  • 4

    Technology skills: Acquire commonly used technology skills required for all careers. WCRS.LRN.4

    1. A

      Use word processing applications to organize and effectively communicate information.WCRS.LRN.4.A

    2. B

      Use spreadsheet applications to solve problems and effectively communicate information.WCRS.LRN.4.B

    3. C

      Use digital presentation applications to create and deliver a presentation.WCRS.LRN.4.C

    4. D

      Use internet and common productivity applications to maximize communication, collaboration, and social interactions in a professional manner. WCRS.LRN.4.D

    5. E

      Use basic operating system features to manage applications, files, folders, and settings.WCRS.LRN.4.E

Life Ready (LIF): Students will develop a positive identity and act with an awareness of self and others to collaborate, advocate, and lead effectively across various contexts.

  • 1

    Self-awareness, management, and responsibility: Gain insight into oneself to help inform and build paths to success in personal, educational, and career settings.WCRS.LIF.1

    1. A

      Develop a strong social and cultural identity, and reflect on how it connects with career identity.WCRS.LIF.1.A

    2. B

      Manage emotions and behaviors effectively in academic and workplace situations.WCRS.LIF.1.B

    3. C

      Take responsibility and accountability for actions, behaviors, and commitments. WCRS.LIF.1.C

    4. D

      Acquire the habits, skills, and mindsets that form the basis for academic and career success, including the use of digital tools.WCRS.LIF.1.D

    5. E

      Apply strategies to care for one’s physical and mental health while participating in social, academic, and career activities.WCRS.LIF.1.E

  • 2

    Interpersonal communication and collaboration: Use interpersonal skills to interact with others for positive outcomes and collective success.WCRS.LIF.2

    1. A

      Develop respectful and supportive relationships with people who are similar to and different from oneself.WCRS.LIF.2.A

    2. B

      Communicate and collaborate with others, using various modes of communication, across languages, cultures, and contexts. WCRS.LIF.2.B

    3. C

      Demonstrate openness to providing and accepting feedback.WCRS.LIF.2.C

  • 3

    Global competence: Understand one’s impact on the world and develop the ability to interact with people from other backgrounds, nations, and cultures. WCRS.LIF.3

    1. A

      Acquire and use intercultural and global knowledge and skills, including proficiency in languages of our local and global communities. WCRS.LIF.3.A

    2. B

      Describe connections between local and global issues and their impact on communities around the world. WCRS.LIF.3.B

    3. C

      Integrate diverse cultural perspectives and informational sources, from around the world, to inform decisions and actions.WCRS.LIF.3.C

    4. D

      Engage with others, virtually or in person, to improve current and future conditions, within local and global contexts, for collective well-being. WCRS.LIF.3.D

  • 4

    Responsive leadership: Take individual and collective action that demonstrates responsibility, care, and purpose to create positive change.WCRS.LIF.4

    1. A

      Identify and practice different leadership styles and team roles. WCRS.LIF.4.A

    2. B

      Communicate a clear vision, and bring people together around shared goals to create positive, ethical change.WCRS.LIF.4.B

    3. C

      Demonstrate effective team-building skills, and facilitate goal-oriented group processes with concern for the people involved. WCRS.LIF.4.C

    4. D

      Lead strategic planning using project management principles.WCRS.LIF.4.D

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
PRE-K, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 12, Grade 11, Grade 10, and Grade 9
Where can I read the official document?
Wisconsin Standards for Career Readiness