Options with Common Core: Becoming Work Ready Career Guidance Washington Lesson 9-3 In this lesson, we’ll learn what it means to be “work ready”, understand the basics of the Common Core Standards, and be able to connect the Common Core Standards to post-secondary work, college and other admittance programs.

What kinds of activities/situations have entrance requirements? Why? Tell students we’ll be focusing on the above graphic continuum in this lesson. Then ask if they know of any situations that have entrance requirements. Ask “Why do these activities have requirements?” We are trying to get to the point that some of these things are judged on their excellence and gatekeepers want to be sure to get the best people.

What is “Work Readiness?” A “work ready” individual possesses the foundational skills needed to be minimally qualified for a specific occupation as determined through a job analysis or occupational profile. Present and discuss “work readiness” using the above slide.

Two Categories of Work Readiness Skills Foundational Knowledge Skills Examples: Reading for information Applied Math Locating Information Problem Solving Critical Thinking Personal Skills Examples: Adaptability Integrity Cooperation Discipline in the Workplace Present and explain the above skills categories using the slide above.

Intro to the Common Core State Standards Explain that the Common Core Standards are a national initiative that emphasizes the foundational knowledge skills needed to be work ready. Then show the “Learn about the Common Core in 3 Minutes” video on this web page. http://www.corestandards.org/what-parents-should-know/ http://Common Core in 3 Minutes Video/

The Common Core Standards are like a staircase you climb to get you ready for College/Career Entrance Requirements. Briefly explain/discuss the above statement. Then introduce the concept that whatever they choose to do after high school, there will be entrance requirements. The following slides show the minimum entrance requirements for various career and college pathways. Explain there are always exceptions but these are a good place to start.

Apprenticeships/Internships Entrance Requirements High School Graduation Diploma Application to Specific Apprenticeship/Internship

Certificate Program Entrance Requirements High School Graduation Diploma Application to Specific Program

United States Military Entrance Requirements High School Graduation Diploma Take and Score Well on the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) Physically Fit

Technical College Entrance Requirements High School Graduation Diploma Application to specific Technical College with Program of Choice

Community College Entrance Requirements High School Graduation Diploma Placement Test Application to specific Community College

Four Year University Entrance Requirements High School Graduation Diploma or GED 2 years Foreign Language 4th year of Math Chemistry and/or Physics SAT/ACT scores GPA Requirement (3.0 or higher at most) Application (Most Require a Written Essay) Explain acceptance into a Four Year University will require a VERY specific set of courses in High School.

All require…

9. 3 Becoming Work Ready Worksheet What are my strengths 9.3 Becoming Work Ready Worksheet What are my strengths? What will I need to improve? Foundational Knowledge Skills Examples: Reading for information Applied Math Locating Information Problem Solving Critical Thinking Personal Skills Examples: Adaptability Integrity Cooperation Discipline in the Workplace Using this as a guide, have the students complete the 9.3 Becoming Work Ready Worksheet. They may come up with other ideas for the above.