Vision 2020 – the WCPSS strategic plan – focuses language around students acquiring and utilizing the four Cs: communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. The four Cs are included in the district’s mission statement.
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, EdLeader21, and the National Education Association have definitions for the four Cs. But it was important work for WCPSS to choose definitions for our graduates.
The Balanced Assessment group has been working to define the four Cs for WCPSS as they explore how to best assess what students know and are able to do. On Monday, they shared their work with the Student Achievement Committee.
Here is how WCPSS is defining the four Cs as skills possessed by a WCPSS graduate:
Communication
- Listens, comprehends, critiques, and communicates effectively by adapting to diverse audiences, tasks, purposes, and disciplines
- Uses multiple media to demonstrate thinking and justify reasoning
Critical Thinking
- Identifies inquiry questions related to the task clearly and precisely
- Analyzes and evaluates information, evidence, arguments, claims, and beliefs
- Synthesizes information and makes connections between information and arguments
Collaboration
- Works effectively in teams by sharing ideas, sharing responsibilities, and considering multiple perspectives in order to achieve goals
Creativity
- Demonstrates innovative problem solving by designing unique ideas, solutions, and products, and adapting as necessary
- Takes intellectual risks, overcoming challenges and failures within the learning experience