1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.
Core in 3 Minutes Video/

6. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

12. 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.

13. All require…

14. 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.