Four Keys to College and Career Readiness

Analysis of entry-level college courses and high-quality high school programs revealed what it takes to succeed at two-year and four-year postsecondary institutions.

The Four Keys model was developed from research conducted by the Center for Educational Policy Research at the University of Oregon and the Educational Policy Improvement Center.

Analysis of entry-level college courses and high-quality high school programs revealed what it takes to succeed at two-year and four-year postsecondary institutions. The model consists of 42 components, each of which identifies skills students need to succeed in college and careers.

 Key Cognitive Strategies consist of problem formulation, research, interpretation, communication, and precision and accuracy. These are the skills students need as thinkers in college and the workplace.

 Key Content Knowledge includes skills to learn challenging content, develop an effort-based mindset and understand the big ideas of a subject area.

 Key Learning Skills and Techniques enumerate attitudes and behaviors students need to take ownership of their learning and a number of the most important learning strategies they need to master.

 Key Transition Knowledge and Skills specify the “college knowledge” students need to select the right college and program of study, apply, obtain financial aid, understand the culture of college, and advocate for themselves and seek help when necessary.

Schools that adopt the Four Keys begin by focusing on college and career readiness for all students as their driving goal. These schools inventory student perceptions of their skills and competencies in the 42 components of the model and develop individual plans for students to address areas in need of improvement. Over the course of multiple years, students acquire, apply and become proficient in a wider range of success skills.

The academic program at Four Keys schools in Orange County, Calif., Spokane, Wash., and elsewhere emphasizes student engagement in and ownership of learning. Project-based learning coupled with more complex types of assessment such as student demonstrations create more opportunities for students to develop skills such as time management, collaboration, public speaking and quality control. Dual-enrollment programs and internships give students opportunities to test their success skills in college and the workplace.

More information on the Four Keys and Four Keys schools is available at http://edimagine.com.