In a groundbreaking effort to enhance the educational landscape, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has secured nearly $4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education. This financial boost will support the implementation of the Skills for the Future (SFF) project, aiming to integrate essential durable skills into the state’s educational framework, providing students with the necessary tools for success in various life paths.
The initiative will leverage the North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate to anchor its assessment tools. This Portrait outlines key skills such as adaptability, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, empathy, a learner’s mindset, and personal responsibility, which are crucial for students’ success beyond high school.
North Carolina State Superintendent Catherine Truitt emphasized the value of these skills, stating, “Data shows that durable skills, like those outlined in the North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate, are highly valued by employers and benefit students across all paths — whether they choose college, a career or the military.” She added that the grant represents a significant advancement in preparing students for future job markets.
This past summer, an analysis by the NCDPI and the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Labor Economic Analysis Division (LEAD) highlighted the importance of integrating these skills into daily educational practices. The data underscored their relevance across all job sectors within the state.
In collaboration with four other states—Indiana, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Rhode Island—North Carolina is pioneering a shift in traditional education models by incorporating durable skills assessments. This collaborative effort, supported by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and ETS, aims to develop a comprehensive skills transcript, offering valuable insights into students’ skill development for educators and employers alike.
Laura Slover, managing director of Skills for the Future at ETS, expressed enthusiasm about the project, saying, “We’re honored that NCDPI has entrusted us with this opportunity to support learners across the state. By effectively measuring these critical durable skills, we aim to instill a mindset of continuous learning and development and believe we will set students on the path to being better prepared for the future of work.”
Over the next three years, NCDPI will collaborate with ETS, Carnegie Foundation, and Battelle for Kids (BFK) to create performance-based assessment tools. These will offer a holistic view of students’ abilities and contributions to the workforce through problem-based learning, scoring, and personalized skills transcripts.
Superintendent Truitt highlighted the project’s potential, stating, “In order to truly quantify the value of the Portrait of a Graduate’s durable skills, we must have a tool that can measure students’ mastery. The Skills for the Future project does precisely that.” This initiative will thus enhance the evaluation and readiness of students for their futures.
Aiming to elevate career and college readiness, the SFF project plans to produce skills transcripts for 6,000 students and engage 400 educators in professional learning across North Carolina by the end of the grant period. The state will join a multi-state professional learning network to exchange ideas and experiences with other similar initiatives.
Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, lauded North Carolina’s efforts, saying, “North Carolina is a leader in the work to transform the American high school. They are building systems to create much more powerful pathways to postsecondary school and career and improve economic opportunity for students statewide.”
This pioneering pilot will begin in the spring of 2025, starting with intensive professional development for educators in six high schools across three districts: Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Iredell-Statesville Schools, and Mooresville Graded School District, followed by the skills suite pilot.
About Battelle for Kids
Battelle for Kids (BFK) is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering educators to ensure every student is future-ready. BFK supports the design and implementation of the Portrait of a Graduate in numerous school districts and state agencies, impacting millions of students. For more information, visit Battelle for Kids (BFK) website.
About the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
The Carnegie Foundation aims to drive transformational change in education, offering every student the chance to lead a fulfilling life. Established by Congress in 1906, the Foundation has a history of educational innovation, including the creation of TIAA-CREF and Education Testing Service. For more information, visit Carnegie Foundation website.
About ETS
ETS is a leader in education and talent solutions, advancing measurement science to create benchmarks for skill assessment. Committed to promoting skill proficiency and opportunity, ETS serves 50 million people annually through assessments like TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE, and Praxis. For more information, visit the ETS website.
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