Owning the work
Students start the year acting like the adult version of themselves. They show up on time, finish what they start, and take responsibility for their choices in class, at a job, and around town.
What does a student learn in
This is the stretch when school starts pointing directly at life after graduation. Students build a real plan for what comes next, whether that is college, a trade, the military, or work, and they line up classes and experiences to match. They practice the habits employers actually notice: showing up, communicating clearly, solving problems, working with people unlike them, and handling money and technology with some sense. By spring, students can talk through their plan after graduation and back it up with steps they have already taken.
- Career planning
- Workplace skills
- Personal finance
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
- Ethics and responsibility
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
- 1
- 2
Communicating and collaborating
Students practice talking, writing, and presenting in ways that fit the audience. They work on teams with people who think differently and learn how to keep a project moving when opinions clash.
- 3
Thinking through hard problems
Students take messy, real-world problems and break them into smaller pieces. They try ideas, hit dead ends, and keep going until something works, using research from sources they have checked.
- 4
Tools, tech, and new ideas
Students use technology to get more done and to make something new. They pick up unfamiliar tools quickly and look for fresh ways to approach a task instead of doing it the same old way.
- 5
Planning a path after high school
Students map out what comes after graduation. They line up classes, training, money decisions, and health habits with the career they want, and they weigh how their choices affect other people and the planet.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 12.
Career Ready Practices
Career Ready Practices
- High School
Plan an education and career path aligned to personal goals, interests
Students map out the education and training steps they will actually need to reach a specific job or career. They weigh their own interests and strengths against what schools and employers realistically require.
- High School
Use technology to enhance productivity, communication
Students learn to pick the right digital tool for the task, whether that means drafting a document, running a meeting, or sharing work with a team. They also practice adjusting when new tools replace old ones.
- High School
Work productively in teams while using cultural and global competence to…
Working in a team with people from different backgrounds, cultures, or countries takes real skill. Students practice listening, adapting, and getting the job done together even when teammates see the world differently.
- High School
Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee, taking personal…
Students take ownership of their choices at school, at work, and in their community. That means following through on commitments, owning mistakes, and understanding that their actions affect the people around them.
- High School
Apply appropriate academic and technical skills learned through career and…
Students take what they learned in class and use it to solve actual problems, not just answer test questions. Career and technical courses build skills that hold up outside the classroom.
- High School
Attend to personal health and financial well-being and make decisions that…
Students make decisions that protect their health and money now and in the future. That means weighing everyday choices, from what they eat to how they spend or save, against the long-term costs those choices carry.
- High School
Communicate clearly, effectively
Students practice matching how they speak, write, or post online to who they're talking to and why. A job interview sounds different from a text to a friend, and knowing that difference is the skill.
- High School
Consider the environmental, social
When making plans or solving problems at school or work, students think through how their choices affect the environment, other people, and money. They weigh those effects before deciding what to do.
- High School
Demonstrate creativity and innovation by generating new ideas and approaches…
Students come up with original ideas and find new uses for familiar tools, then put those ideas into practice in real work situations.
- High School
Employ valid and reliable research strategies to gather, evaluate
Students find information from multiple sources, check that it's accurate and trustworthy, then pull the key points together to support a decision or project.
- High School
Use critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them…
When students hit a problem they can't solve right away, they slow down, break it into smaller parts, and work through possible solutions instead of giving up.
- High School
Model integrity, ethical leadership
Acting with honesty and fairness matters in every setting. Students practice making responsible decisions, treating others with respect, and following through on commitments whether they're in class, at a job, or in the community.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Plan an education and career path aligned to personal goals, interests High School | Students map out the education and training steps they will actually need to reach a specific job or career. They weigh their own interests and strengths against what schools and employers realistically require. | DE-CDOS.CRP10.9-12 |
| Use technology to enhance productivity, communication High School | Students learn to pick the right digital tool for the task, whether that means drafting a document, running a meeting, or sharing work with a team. They also practice adjusting when new tools replace old ones. | DE-CDOS.CRP11.9-12 |
| Work productively in teams while using cultural and global competence to… High School | Working in a team with people from different backgrounds, cultures, or countries takes real skill. Students practice listening, adapting, and getting the job done together even when teammates see the world differently. | DE-CDOS.CRP12.9-12 |
| Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee, taking personal… High School | Students take ownership of their choices at school, at work, and in their community. That means following through on commitments, owning mistakes, and understanding that their actions affect the people around them. | DE-CDOS.CRP1.9-12 |
| Apply appropriate academic and technical skills learned through career and… High School | Students take what they learned in class and use it to solve actual problems, not just answer test questions. Career and technical courses build skills that hold up outside the classroom. | DE-CDOS.CRP2.9-12 |
| Attend to personal health and financial well-being and make decisions that… High School | Students make decisions that protect their health and money now and in the future. That means weighing everyday choices, from what they eat to how they spend or save, against the long-term costs those choices carry. | DE-CDOS.CRP3.9-12 |
| Communicate clearly, effectively High School | Students practice matching how they speak, write, or post online to who they're talking to and why. A job interview sounds different from a text to a friend, and knowing that difference is the skill. | DE-CDOS.CRP4.9-12 |
| Consider the environmental, social High School | When making plans or solving problems at school or work, students think through how their choices affect the environment, other people, and money. They weigh those effects before deciding what to do. | DE-CDOS.CRP5.9-12 |
| Demonstrate creativity and innovation by generating new ideas and approaches… High School | Students come up with original ideas and find new uses for familiar tools, then put those ideas into practice in real work situations. | DE-CDOS.CRP6.9-12 |
| Employ valid and reliable research strategies to gather, evaluate High School | Students find information from multiple sources, check that it's accurate and trustworthy, then pull the key points together to support a decision or project. | DE-CDOS.CRP7.9-12 |
| Use critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them… High School | When students hit a problem they can't solve right away, they slow down, break it into smaller parts, and work through possible solutions instead of giving up. | DE-CDOS.CRP8.9-12 |
| Model integrity, ethical leadership High School | Acting with honesty and fairness matters in every setting. Students practice making responsible decisions, treating others with respect, and following through on commitments whether they're in class, at a job, or in the community. | DE-CDOS.CRP9.9-12 |
Common Questions
What is this class actually about?
It is about getting ready for life after high school, whether that means college, a trade, the military, or going straight to work. Students practice the habits employers look for, like showing up on time, communicating well, working on a team, and making smart decisions about money and health.
How can I help my teenager think about a career path at home?
Ask open questions about what they liked and disliked this week, and why. When they mention a job that sounds interesting, look it up together for ten minutes. Find out what training it takes, what the pay looks like, and whether anyone in your circle does that work and would talk to them.
My teen has no idea what they want to do. Is that a problem?
No. Most students at this age are still figuring it out, and that is the point of these years. Encourage them to try clubs, part-time jobs, and electives that sound interesting, and treat each one as useful information, even when they decide it is not for them.
How should I sequence career readiness across four years?
Ninth and tenth grade work best for broad exploration, self-awareness, and basic workplace habits like communication and teamwork. Eleventh grade is the time to narrow interests, build a resume, and try job shadows or internships. Twelfth grade should focus on applications, interviews, financial planning, and a concrete plan for after graduation.
What does mastery look like by graduation?
Graduates can name a realistic next step and explain how their skills, interests, and finances connect to it. They can write a clear email, hold a professional conversation, work on a team with people unlike them, and solve a problem without giving up at the first obstacle.
How much should we be talking about money at home?
More than most families do. Walk through a paycheck, a phone bill, or a car insurance quote and explain what each line means. Short, real conversations about budgeting, saving, and the cost of borrowing teach more than any lecture about financial responsibility.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Professional communication and follow-through. Students often need repeated practice writing a clear email, asking for help before a deadline, and owning a mistake without blaming someone else. Build short, low-stakes reps into every unit rather than saving these skills for one big project.
How do I help with research projects without doing the work?
Sit next to them and ask questions instead of typing. Where did that fact come from? Who wrote it, and why might they want you to believe it? Is there a second source that agrees? Ten minutes of that kind of questioning teaches more than a finished draft ever will.
How do I know my teen is ready for life after high school?
Look for someone who can make a plan, keep a schedule, manage a small budget, and ask for help when stuck. If they can hold a job or run a project for a few months without an adult driving every step, they are in good shape for whatever comes next.