Collaboration
Works productively with othersActively participates and contributes
Balances listening and speaking, leading and following, in a group
Demonstrates flexibility and compromise
Works collegially with diverse types of people
Respects the ideas of others
Demonstrates perspective-taking skills
Commits to advancing the aims of the group
Considers the interests and needs of the larger group
Values the contributions of each member of the group
Recognizes and uses the strengths of others
Matches tasks and assignments to individuals’ strengths and abilities
Works together to solve problems and create new ideas and products
Assumes shared responsibility for completing the work
Prioritizes needs and goals, both individual and group
Works with others to make decisions that include the views of multiple individuals
Identifies areas of agreement and disagreement
Participates respectfully in frank discussion, debates, and disagreements
Monitors one’s own emotions
Contributes to conflict resolution within the group
Greenstein, Laura; Assessing 21st Century Skills: A guide to evaluating mastery and authentic learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2012.
Knowledge Construction
Accesses information from multiple sourcesEfficiently and effectively selects information
Searches, sorts, and collects information for multiple purposes
Determines what information is needed for a specific purpose
Prioritizes sources for importance, credibility, and depth
Evaluates information critically for relevance and accuracy
Understands the importance of evidence in building a base of knowledge
Appreciates the purpose and use of media messages
Recognizes the persuasive constructs of media messages
Examines the personal interpretation of media messages
Considers the effect of messages on humans and the influence of media on beliefs, behaviors, and values
Uses the information to learn, produce, and create
Manages the flow of information from a wide variety of sources
Recognizes individual and cultural differences in accessing, interpreting, and using information
Acknowledges and complies with ethical and legal rules in accessing and using information
Greenstein, Laura; Assessing 21st Century Skills: A guide to evaluating mastery and authentic learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2012.
Real-World Problem Solving & Innovation
Understands and applies a system for responding to unfamiliar problemsIdentifies and applies the steps in the problem-solving process
Describes a problem with clarity and supporting evidence
Gathers necessary and relevant information regarding the problem
Uses multiple strategies and generates multiple solutions
Considers alternative solutions and possibilities in a given problem
Thoughtfully selects from multiple possible solutions to a problem
Evaluates the outcome in relation to the problem; adjusts accordingly
Assigns relative value to the elements of a problem and uses those values to rank elements in meaningful ways
Uses inductive and deductive reasoning in applied situations
Solves a variety of types of problems in the real world
Recognizes the complexity of each part of a problem in relation to the whole
Recognizes that sometimes there is no right answer
Possesses fundamental curiosity and inquisitiveness
Uses multiple types of creative techniques including fluency, elaboration, and originality
Questions to find deeper meaning
Creates original, new, and unique ideas and products
Is able to see new patterns in existing works
Recognizes the impact of new innovations on existing paradigms
Greenstein, Laura; Assessing 21st Century Skills: A guide to evaluating mastery and authentic learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2012.
Use of Technology for Learning
Understands primary computer functionsUses multiple types of electronic software, programs, and applications
Selects form a variety of technologies to meet a specific purpose
Creates media products using appropriate and purposefully selected technologies
Uses technology to access, gather, manage, integrate, and create information
Applies technology as tool to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information
Applies technology to communicate and network with others
Applies technology to create and innovate in various contexts
Uses a variety of technologies in effective ways to increase creative productivity
Uses technology to present, graph, and track data
Uses technology to identify and solve complex problems in real-world contexts
Understands and considers legal and ethical issues in relation to the use of electronic technologies
Continuously learns and critically evaluates emerging technologies
Greenstein, Laura; Assessing 21st Century Skills: A guide to evaluating mastery and authentic learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2012.
Self-regulation
Monitors and reflects on one’s thinkingKnows one’s own learning strengths and styles
Is able to select an approach that aligns with strengths and styles of learning
Considers the effects of one’s choices and actions on others
Adjusts to changes in assignments, responsibilities, schedules, and locations
Modifies one’s thoughts, attitudes and behaviors in response to new information
Considers personal biases in learning and acting
Commits to continuous change and growth
Establishes priorities
Plans strategically and purposefully
Manages time to maximize productivity and goal attainment
Works independently to complete tasks
Recognizes that hard work and perseverance breed success
Perseveres rationally to task completion
Demonstrated effective self-management
Monitors own performance
Realistically faces obstacles and works to overcome them
Stretches beyond basic mastery to develop expertise
Learns from past experiences to build toward future success
Greenstein, Laura; Assessing 21st Century Skills: A guide to evaluating mastery and authentic learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2012.
Skilled Communication
Defines various types of verbal communication (i.e., conversation, discussion, debate)Identifies various types of written communication (formal, informal, scientific)
Applies skills in a variety of forms and contexts
Engages in constructive dialogue with others
Demonstrates receptive communication skills in multiple settings and through varied media
Reads, views, and listens to a variety of sources
Understands the tenets of written language including basic grammar and style
Reads and understands various types of text
Listens effectively to understand the intent and content of written and verbal communications
Discerns the intent and information in still and video images
Produces effective communication through multiple medium and technologies
Articulates thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written, and non-verbal communication
Communicates clearly and effectively so that others can understand the message
Communicates for a variety of purposes such as informing and persuading
Communicates in multiple settings
Greenstein, Laura; Assessing 21st Century Skills: A guide to evaluating mastery and authentic learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2012.