8/29/14 Strategies to Build Non-Cognitive Skills
Presented by Public Profit
National College Access Network
September 2014
Grit and growth mindset
TED Talk by Angela Duckworth
1 8/29/14 Find a partner and discuss
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Why are non-cognitive skills like grit and growth
mindset important for young people?
What might college access programs do to help
youth build these kinds of skills?
2 8/29/14 STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE
NON-COGNITIVE SKILLS
A Guide for Youth Developers and Educators
Selecting a strategy
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Youth Served
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Strategy Type
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Training for Staff
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Cost to Implement
3 8/29/14 Going Forward…
4 Strategies to Build Non-Cognitive Skills: A Pocket Guide
2014 National College Access Network National Conference
Definitions of Non-Cognitive Skills
The education field uses the term non-cognitive skills, social emotional skills, and 21st
century skills to refer to some of the same types of competencies. Some common skills
that are cited are listed below with definitions.
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Academic Behaviors – observable behaviors that show students’
engagement and effort
Academic Mindsets - students’ attitudes and beliefs about their
academic work and ability
Academic Perseverance – the ability to overcome distractions,
obstacles and challenges to complete academic work
Learning Strategies – tactics that students use to help them remember
think and learn
Social Skills – behaviors that allow students to interact with peers and
adults in positive and productive ways
Problem Solving – applying knowledge, skills and available resources
to solve novel problems
Motivation – the reason why youth engage in specific behaviors
Resiliency – the ability to adapt positively to a situation in the presence
of risk factors such as poverty, illness, and other long-term stressors.
Practices that Support Non-Cognitive Skills
In addition to specific curricula, there are instructional practices that research has
associated with non-cognitive skill development. The following practices can be used in
formal and informal education settings.
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Praise effort, not ability
Tell youth how skills can be used in and outside of the educational context
Normalize difficulty and de-personalize challenges
Tell youth the skills that they will learn
Provide projects are age-appropriate but challenge youth to use new skills
and knowledge
Provide projects that are active, hands-on and require cognitive engagement
Strategies to Promote Non-Cognitive Skills
Public Profit, 2014
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Have youth monitor their own progress and solicit their feedback on their
experiences
Break complex, multi-step tasks and projects into more manageable chunks
Additional Resources
R ESEARCH ON N ON -C OGNITIVE S KILLS
Teaching Adolescents to Become Learners. The Role of Noncognitive Factors in
Shaping School Performance: A critical Literature Review.
Download at: http://bit.ly/1qLjF0U
Promoting Grit, Tenacity, and Perseverance: Critical Factors for Success in the 21st
Century
Download at: http://1.usa.gov/1aG9XWv
The Impact of Non-Cognitive Skills on Outcomes for Young People: A Literature
Review
Download at: http://bit.ly/1ongJqh
L ESSON P LANS
The Character Education Partnership provides lesson plans for elementary, middle
and high school youth that develop character skills many of which overlap with noncognitive skills. These lesson plans were developed and road tested by teachers.
Review at: http://bit.ly/VRfwjv
The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) developed
a systematic framework for assessing classroom based social and emotional
programs. The guide also includes best practices for districts and educators.
Review at: http://bit.ly/1i8u5U7
A SSESSING N ON -C OGNITIVE S KILL D EVELOPMENT
From Soft Skills to Hard Data: Measuring Youth Program Outcomes
Download at: http://bit.ly/1vnJVFB
The Youth Development Executives of King County are developing a survey to assess
the non-academic skills that contribute to students’ success in school. A helpful guide
describes their approach and issues to consider when deciding how to assess noncognitive skills. A recent presentation describes initial results from the Student Skills
and Beliefs Survey.
Review at: http://bit.ly/1td6PPc
Strategies to Promote Non-Cognitive Skills
Public Profit, 2014
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Non-Cognitive Strategies
Decision Tree
Youth Served
What ages of youth do you want to serve?
Consult the “Population” row in the table. Almost all featured strategies are
appropriate for K-8th grade, and most are appropriate for K-12.
Do you want a strategy that has been used with specific populations?
Strategies that have been implemented with ethnic/linguistic minorities are
indicated with ✚
Strategies that have been implemented with youth with special learning
considerations are indicated with v
Strategy Type
How much “proof” do you need?
Tier 1 strategies (p. 6) have strong evidence of effectiveness
Tier 2 strategies (p. 7) have moderate or strong evidence of effectiveness
Tier 3 strategies (p. 8) have moderate evidence of effectiveness
What type of strategy are you considering?
C
Curricula
SG
Self-Guided
Activity
A
Approach
“Curricula” describes a set of activities for youth that requires
an adult facilitator.
“Self-Guided Activities” can be completed individually by youth.
“Approach” describes a set of adult and youth practices that
permeate the learning environment.
Consult the “Type” row at the top of pages 6-8.
Strategies to Build Non-Cognitive Skills
Prepared by Public Profit, 2014
Training for Staff
What kind of training do you need for staff?
In person
Online
Guidebook
Cost to Implement
How much can you spend?1
Free/low cost
Social Decision Making/Problem Solving ($40, additional fee for
training)
Design Thinking (Free)
Step-it-Up-2-Thrive (Free)
Self Authoring ($30)
G.R.I.T. Initiative (Nominal)
Moderate cost
Mindful Schools ($575, including training)
PATHS Curriculum ($399-799, additional fee for training)
SOAR Study Skills ($1,100, including training)
Higher cost
Student Success Skills ($2,250, additional fee for training)
Brainology ($1,860, including training)
Youth Program Quality Intervention ($3,028, including training)
Tribes Learning Communities ($225 per person, 20 person minimum)
4Rs ($4,500, additional fee for training)
RULER Approach ($3,300, including training)
Mindfulness in Afterschool ($6,864, including training)
Building Intentional Communities ($5,000, including training)
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Based on materials and training for 30 youth and one staff member.
Strategies to Build Non-Cognitive Skills
Prepared by Public Profit, 2014