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Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards

Community of Practice

Skills for Success:

The Why Behind Wisconsin's Career Readiness Standards

Module 2:

Career Readiness and

Student Engagement

Welcome to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Wisconsin Career Readiness Community of Practice! In this second module, we’re going to dive further into student engagement by exploring Career Readiness as a powerful solution. By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear sense of why career readiness is so vital for our students today – both their current lives and future selves.

To make the most of this learning experience, we encourage you to engage actively by taking notes and reflecting on how the content applies to your unique context. Pause the video whenever you need to process the information or dive deeper into the provided resources. If you’re able, consider collaborating with colleagues or teams for richer discussions and shared insights. Finally, don’t forget to follow up on activities or supplemental materials and connect with your regional CESA for additional support. Let’s dive in!

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Objectives

Understand the Causes of Gen Z & Gen Alpha Student Disengagement

Recognize how WCRS Promote Engagement through Equity and Future Readiness�
Appreciate the WCRS Focus on Lifelong Learning and Future Readiness�

Let’s take a moment to review today’s objectives. These will guide our discussions and activities as we move forward.

In Module 1, we worked to understand the causes of Gen Z and Gen Alpha student disengagement. We explored the unique characteristics of these generations, what’s causing their disconnection from traditional schooling, and how the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards, or WCRS, can help address these challenges. Our goal was to think about how to make learning more relevant and future-focused for our students.

In Module 2, we’ll dive deeper into how the WCRS promote engagement through equity and future readiness. In addition, we’ll appreciate how the WCRS focus on lifelong learning and future readiness. We’ll discuss how the WCRS encourage a mindset of continuous improvement, helping students become lifelong learners who can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing job market. By the end of Module 2, you should feel confident in how the WCRS can directly impact student engagement and help foster future-ready learners.

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Quote

“For K-12 students, the most important predictor of whether they feel excited about and prepared for their future — even when controlling for demographic differences such as gender, race and household income — is the extent to which they feel engaged at school.”

This quote really highlights a critical point in our work:

“For K-12 students, the most important predictor of whether they feel excited about and prepared for their future — even when controlling for demographic differences such as gender, race, and household income — is the extent to which they feel engaged at school.”

It’s a powerful reminder that engagement isn't just about academic success. It’s about whether students feel connected to their learning, to their future, and ultimately, to the opportunities that lie ahead. Regardless of background, when students feel engaged, they’re more likely to feel hopeful and prepared for what’s next.

And that's why we're here today—because Career Readiness, and the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards, are tools that can help us reignite that engagement and prepare students for the real-world challenges and opportunities ahead.

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Gen Z Students (Aged 18+)

35% of Wisconsin graduates did not feel that their K-12 education prepared them for the world of work.

Youth Voice in Career Readiness Findings

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Gen Z and College Prep

For students whose primary goal is

career readiness,

we’re missing the mark.

Gallup

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Quote

“The types of skills that employers value have also shifted. In 1970, the top three skills employers asked for were reading, writing, and arithmetic; in 2015, they are complex problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity.

(Mehta & Fine, 2020)

In Search of Deeper Learning: The Quest to Remake the American High School (Mehta & Fine, 2020, p. 11)

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Workforce Skills Are Changing

Top 10 Skills on the Rise:

Creative Thinking
Analytical Thinking
Technology Literacy
Curiosity & Lifelong Learning
Resilience, Flexibility and Agility
Systems Thinking
AI and Big Data
Motivation and Self-Awareness
Talent Management
Service Orientation and Customer Service

"The demands of the modern workforce are evolving at an unprecedented pace, and with them, the skills required to succeed. While foundational abilities remain important, they are now joined by a new wave of competencies that emphasize adaptability, innovation, and collaboration.

Take a look at the top 10 skills employers are increasingly prioritizing: creative and analytical thinking, technology literacy, and systems thinking are just the beginning. Traits like curiosity, resilience, and agility help individuals thrive in uncertain environments, while understanding AI and big data ensures readiness for tech-driven roles. Skills in self-awareness, talent management, and service orientation reflect the growing need for emotional intelligence and interpersonal capabilities.

These aren’t just workplace skills—they’re life skills. As educators, it’s critical we align our teaching practices to prepare students for this new reality, equipping them to navigate and excel in a world where change is the only constant."

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Today’s Jobs Are Being Reskilled

According to a survey by the World Economic Forum, 69 million jobs will be created in the next five years, driven by new technologies and the green transition. But, these gains will be offset by 83 million jobs being put at risk by economic pressures and automation.

This means 25% of today’s jobs will be disrupted in the next five years.

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Projected Industry Shifts

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Career Readiness Matters to Students

Most students learn about career readiness activities from teachers.
Students need teachers to be engaged, excited, and encouraging during career readiness activities.
Students want:

Career readiness to start earlier and occur more often
Career readiness activities to be hands-on and interactive and include “real” people from the jobs they are interested in, to understand all their postsecondary education options

From 2022 DPI Youth Voice in Career Readiness Project

As we think about how we can re-engage our students and prepare them for the future, it’s important to consider what students themselves are asking for.

"Career readiness is a journey, and for most students, that journey starts with their teachers. Teachers play a critical role in introducing students to career readiness activities, and their level of engagement, enthusiasm, and encouragement directly impacts how students perceive these opportunities.

What students really want is for career readiness to begin earlier and happen more frequently. They’re looking for activities that are hands-on and interactive, giving them real-world insights. They want to connect with professionals in careers they’re curious about and explore all of their postsecondary education options. Our role as educators is to ensure these experiences are meaningful and accessible."

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Career Readiness Matters to Students

Students need to see how learning is relevant in all their classes.
Students are more engaged in their learning when they have more choice and voice.
High school graduates feel the most important skills to teach in K-12 are communication, critical thinking, and self- or time-management.

From 2022 DPI Youth Voice in Career Readiness Project

"Students need to understand how their learning connects to their future goals, and this relevance needs to be clear in all of their classes. When students see the value of what they’re learning, they’re more engaged and motivated. Providing them with opportunities for choice and voice in their education further enhances this engagement.

Additionally, high school graduates consistently emphasize the importance of teaching key skills like communication, critical thinking, and self- or time-management during their K-12 education. These are foundational skills that not only support academic success but also prepare students for life beyond school."

Ultimately, students are telling us they need to see how what they’re learning in class is relevant to their future careers. When students have more choice and voice in their learning, they are more engaged.

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Youth Voice in Career Readiness Findings (2022)

High school graduates feel the most important skills to teach in K-12 are communication, critical thinking, and self- or time-management.

Other skills that came up were self-confidence, independence, responsibility, growth mindset, diversity and inclusion, financial literacy, technology skills, basic home and auto repair skills.

2022 DPI Youth Voice in Career Readiness Project

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Career Readiness is Our Internal Advocacy Tool

Increases Sense of Belonging
Increases Engagement in Learning
Helps Students Find Relevance and Meaning in Their Education
Increases Academic Motivation
Ensures ALL Students have a Plan for Success after High School
Ensures ALL Students are Equitably and Better Equipped to Succeed

In a time when we are scrambling for answers and solutions, youth voice, community voice, and ongoing research indicates that a powerful tool is right in front of us. Career readiness is not just about skill development—it’s an internal advocacy tool for us as educators. It increases students' sense of belonging, re-engages them in their learning, and helps them find relevance and meaning in their education. Career readiness activities motivate students academically because they can see the connections between what they’re learning in school and their future. What’s most important is that career readiness ensures that ALL students—not just those bound for college—have a plan for success after high school. It’s about equity, making sure every student is equipped and prepared for their future, no matter what path they take. When we spread these messages within our systems, we not only grow knowledge about this powerful option, but we grow the capacity for more educators and educational leaders to center Career Readiness within our systems.

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Career Readiness is Our External Advocacy Tool

Strongly Aligned with Family Priorities
Increases Connections Between the School and Community
Community Support
Facilitates Healthy and Sustainable Local Economies
Bipartisan Legislative Support

Career readiness is also an external advocacy tool that supports us in spreading the message to our communities. It’s strongly aligned with the priorities of families—parents want their children to be prepared for life after high school. Career readiness also strengthens the connection between schools and the broader community. It supports healthy and sustainable local economies by ensuring that students are equipped with the skills that are in demand locally. Additionally, career readiness has broad bipartisan support in the legislature because everyone agrees: students should leave high school ready for the future. Career readiness, when implemented well, fosters community support, builds sustainable connections, and ultimately benefits everyone. Whatever the goals are of your community, career readiness can offer promising outcomes to help your community achieve those goals.

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Elevator Speech Activity:�Advocating for Career Readiness �

Objective: Create a persuasive, 1-minute elevator speech explaining why career readiness is crucial for today’s students. Eventually, we’ll be connected this to the WCRS standards as a tool for change.
Prompt: Imagine you’re in an elevator with a school administrator, district leader, or community stakeholder who is unfamiliar with the importance of career readiness.
Craft a powerful elevator speech that explains:

The Impact of Student Disengagement on Gen Z & Gen Alpha students
How Career Readiness can Support Gen Z & Gen Alpha now by re-engaging them through relevant and meaningful pedagogy shifts
Why Career Readiness is Essential for Gen Z & Gen Alpha’s futures

Now that we've reviewed the importance of career readiness for both students and communities, it’s time for you to practice your advocacy skills. Imagine you're in an elevator with a school administrator, district leader, or community stakeholder who isn't familiar with the importance of career readiness. You have one minute to explain why career readiness is crucial for today’s students and how the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards (WCRS) can help address these needs. Focus on three key areas: the impact of disengagement on Gen Z and Gen Alpha, how career readiness can re-engage students, and why these skills are essential for their futures. Take a few minutes to craft a persuasive, 1-minute elevator speech. Once you're ready, take the time to practice and share it with someone in your group or your school site.

Thank you all for joining us today! We’re excited to continue this learning when we dive into Module 3, which will enhance our understanding of the development of the new Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards.