K-12 Durable Skills Framework
Preparing Every Learner for School, Work, and Life
Ready to preview the updated K-12 Durable Skills Framework, share your insights, get early access to new resources, and enter to win one of several $100 Visa gift cards? Complete this form to get started.
Technical knowledge evolves. Durable skills endure.
Communication. Critical thinking. Collaboration. Leadership. Character. Fortitude. These are the competencies employers consistently demand and communities consistently value.
America Succeeds is developing a K-12 Durable Skills Framework to help educators make these skills explicit, developable, and articulable across learning environments. This work builds on the nationally recognized Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework and translates it into a developmentally informed structure designed to support learners from early childhood through high school graduation.
Our goal is simple: equip adults with clear language, shared expectations, and practical tools to help young people build the skills that matter most for long-term success.
Why This Matters
Our research with Lightcast found that 8 of the top 10 most requested skills in job postings are durable skills. These competencies remain valuable across industries, technologies, and career stages.
At the same time, educators across the country are asking:
- How do we intentionally develop durable skills?
- What does growth look like over time?
- What counts as evidence?
- How do we align this work with existing curriculum and accountability structures?
This framework is designed to help answer those questions.
What We’ve Done So Far
This project has unfolded in four phases:
Phase 1: Research & Framework Development
We conducted a comprehensive literature review and collaborated with subject matter experts to draft a developmentally informed K-12 framework grounded in research and practice.
Phase 2: Expert Feedback & Refinement
National educators, researchers, and practitioners provided structured feedback to clarify skill clusters, developmental progressions, and language.
Phase 3: Pilot Testing Across Learning Environments
Educators across classrooms, afterschool programs, and youth-serving organizations tested draft versions of the framework and associated tools. Their real-world implementation helped surface strengths, gaps, and usability improvements.
Phase 4: Refinement & Resource Development (Current Phase)
We are incorporating pilot feedback and continuing to strengthen the framework, developmental progressions, and implementation tools to ensure clarity, rigor, and practical usability.
What’s Next
We are now entering the next refinement phase, and we want YOUR voice at the table! We’re inviting educators, youth program leaders, researchers, K-12 and postsecondary leaders, parents, and partners to:
- Review updated framework clusters and developmental progressions
- Provide feedback on clarity, distinctiveness, and developmental appropriateness
- Share insights on implementation tools and resources
- Help strengthen the next public version of the K-12 Durable Skills Framework
This is a collaborative effort. Your perspective matters.
Contribute to the Next Phase
If you’d like to review a sample of the updated framework, provide feedback, get early access to resources/tools, AND enter to win one of several $100 VISA gift cards, please complete the form linked below.
Provide Feedback & Join the Next Phase
Have questions? Please contact Michael Crawford.