Colorado
We studied 2.4 million job postings from 2019-2020 and found that 1.5 million Colorado jobs or 67% of job postings demanded at least one Durable Skill.
State Standards Analysis & Recommendations for Improvement
COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Readiness standards are published and promoted and describe the competencies students need to learn and possess for entry into and success in college and the workforce. They may or may not be assessed by the state but exist as guidance for educators and expectations for students.
Yes
Does the state define college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s definition of college and/or career readiness is “The knowledge, skills, and behaviors essential to high school graduates to be prepared to enter college and the workforce and compete in the global economy including content knowledge, learning and behavior skills.”
Yes
Does the state have career readiness standards?
Yes, the state’s career-readiness standards are available here.
Yes
Does the state report metrics related to college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s reported metrics related to college and/or career readiness include:
- ACT scores
- NAEP scores
- CTE completers
- Postsecondary or employee placement
- FAFSA completion rate
- Postsecondary enrollment
- First-year credit accumulation
- Graduates assigned to remediation in at least one subject
Additional Resource: Comprehensive Accountability Handbook
No
Does the state include college/career readiness in its accountability formula?
Yes
Are students expected to demonstrate readiness for college and/or career upon graduation?
Yes, students are expected to demonstrate college and/or career readiness through:
- Advanced Coursework Enrollment
- CTE Participation (CTE, WBL, Credential, Apprenticeship, Other)
- Postsecondary Enrollment
Additional Resource: Colorado SB08 – Cap4K
Yes
Are Durable Skills reflected in career readiness standards?
Yes, the following Durable Skills are reflected in the state’s career-readiness standards:
- Character
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Critical Thinking
- Fortitude
- Growth Mindset
- Leadership
- Metacognition
- Mindfulness
Additional Resource: CO Indicator Crosswalk
Yes
Does the state publish career readiness/employability skills standards?
Yes, the state’s career-readiness/employability skills are available here.
No
Does the state have a complete framework for work-based learning?
Yes
Does the state define WBL?
Yes, the state’s definition for work-based learning is available here.
No
Does the state have clear expectations for WBL programs?
No
Does the state have a WBL quality guide?
Yes
Does the state report on WBL participation and outcomes?
Yes, Colorado collects participation data for students enrolled in WBL through CTE courses. It does not appear that there is a process to collect data on WBL participation outside of CTE.
Yes
Does the state use WBL participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding?
Yes, the state uses work-based learning participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding. Learn more here.
Yes
Does the state provide guidance related to career/employability skills?
Yes, the state’s guidance related to career/employability skills can be found here.
WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL)
Work-based learning describes comprehensive guidance, expectations for educators and employers, and quality indicators for assessment.
DURABLE SKILLS ALIGNED WITH READINESS GUIDANCE
GRADUATE PROFILE
A graduate profile includes the competencies and skills a student possesses when they graduate from high school. They showcase student learning outcomes and present a full picture of a student’s abilities.
Yes
Does the state include career/workforce readiness in its graduation requirements?
Yes, the readiness requirements outlined by the state are graduation requirements that “demonstrate Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) in Reading, Writing and Communicating, and Mathematics.” Districts must provide students with opportunity to show readiness from a state-created “Menu of Options” which includes traditional examinations (AP, IB, WorkKeys, etc.) and/or earning industry certificates. Students demonstrate they’ve met these requirements via assessment, credential earned, demonstration, and coursework.
Yes
Does the state outline a robust set of graduation requirements?
Yes, the state outlines a robust set of graduation requirements that can be found here.
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