Introducing the High School Rubrics for 21st Century Learning

Today's high school students must learn to locate, analyze, collaborate, interpret and communicate information and solve problems logically. To succeed in the 21st century, everyone will need to be proficient in all of these skills and will have to use technology to demonstrate proficiency. Colleges, universities, and the business community are clear that these skills are truly "essential" to the success of all students as they pursue post-secondary education and careers.

All high school courses in the Stratford Public Schools contain assessments of these 21st century skills, and all courses provide multiple opportunities for students to learn and apply these 21st century skills in visual, oral and written work. The following school-wide rubric has been developed to be used to assess every student in every course. These rubrics guide our students to practice and master 21st century skills throughout their high school years and provide a way for teachers to measure students' mastery of these essential skills.

The six rubrics in this packet measure student performance in the following areas:

• Use of Real-World Digital and Other Research Tools
• Work Independently and Collaboratively
• Communicate Information Clearly and Effectively
• Demonstrate Innovation, Flexibility, and Adaptability
• Analysis, Syntheses, and Evaluative Processes
• Value and Demonstrate Personal Responsibility, Character, Cultural Understanding, and Ethical Behavior

The indicators and expectations for each rubric are explained on the attachment.

Over four years of high school, all students are expected to meet the excellent or proficient standards in each of these six 21st century skills.