FAQs
Introducing the first Skills Progressions: collaboration, communication and critical thinking
{"theme":"sff-xblack","title":"Our story","headingTag":"h2","description":"\u003cp\u003eSince 1906, the Carnegie Unit—or “credit hour”—has been the standard for measuring student progress. But today’s world demands more than just time spent in class. Learners need durable, transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and collaboration.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSkills for the Future (SFF) is a joint initiative between ETS and the \u003ca style\u003d\"color: inherit;\" href\u003d\"https://www.carnegiefoundation.org/our-work/high-school-transformation/skills-for-the-future-initiative/\" target\u003d\"_blank\" rel\u003d\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eCarnegie Foundation\u003c/a\u003e to shift the focus from time-based education to competency-based learning. Together, we\u0027re developing new assessments to capture evidence of the skills most critical for success—both in and beyond the classroom.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","columns":"4","showSeparator":true,"enableAnimation":false,"enableSlider":false,"infoCards":[{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/Info-card-icon1.png","imagetext":"image 1","headingTag":"h2","heading":"MEASURE NEW THINGS","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eElevate the durable skills found in many statewide Portraits of a Graduate, such as collaboration, communication and critical thinking—which have been hard to assess in the past.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/Info-card-icon2.png","imagetext":"image 2","headingTag":"h2","heading":"MEASURE THEM IN NEW WAYS","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eCapture evidence of learning from authentic classroom artifacts, new innovative assessment modules, as well as the learning that occurs outside of school.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/Info-card-icon3.png","imagetext":"image 3","headingTag":"h2","heading":"GENERATE ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eProvide insights about performance across multiple, varied types of evidence to understand learners’ progress in skill development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/Info-card-icon4.png","imagetext":"image 4","headingTag":"h2","heading":"CREATE SKILLS-BASED RECORDS","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eCreate portable and robust records of skill development and growth with evidence from various learning experiences across a learning journey.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"}]}
{"pingPongGridModuleHeader":"Our research","pingPongGridModuleDescription":"\u003cp\u003eCarnegie and ETS, leaders in learning research, identified key durable skills for success across life domains. Now, we’re building developmental skill progressions to target learning effectively, innovate assessments, and personalize support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePartnering with states and other organizations, we’re field-testing practical, AI-enhanced tools and conducting in-depth research to advance skill-based learning for everyone. Our work is guided by a Technical Advisory Committee of national experts and informed by ongoing engagement with diverse stakeholders.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"/content/dam/ets-org/pdfs/sff/tac-member-list-alpha.pdf\" target\u003d\"_blank\" title\u003d\"Technical Advisory Committee, Opens in a new window tab\" rel\u003d\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eTechnical Advisory Committee\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title\u003d\"Research - Deeper Dive, Opens in a new window tab\" href\u003d\"/content/dam/ets-org/pdfs/sff/sff-research-overview.pdf\" target\u003d\"_blank\" rel\u003d\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eResearch - Deeper Dive\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","pingPongGridModuleTheme":"sff-xblack","noBorder":false,"largeContent":false,"imageCardOverflow":false,"line":true,"ctas":[],"imageCards":[{"imageCardTitle":"Report: A New Vision for Measuring the Skills that Matter","imageCardDescription":"This framework paper, co-authored by ETS and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, lays the groundwork for reimagining educational assessment.","imageCardTheme":"sff-xblack","imageCardAlignment":"right","playCtaCenter":false,"imagecardEyebrow":"OUR FINDINGS","ctas":[{"ctaLabel":"Download","ctaLabelAccessible":"download","ctaLink":"/content/dam/ets-org/pdfs/rd/new-vision-skills-based-assessment.pdf","ctaTarget":true,"ctaType":"secondary-cta","enableIcon":false,"enableGatedContent":false}],"imageCardAssets":[{"imageCardAssetPath":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/skills-wheel.png","imageCardAssetAlt":"imgalt"}]}]}
{"id":"image-grid-924767286","imageGridModuleTitle":"Our Leadership","contentViewer":"slide","textAlign":"center","readMoreLabel":"Read More","readLessLabel":"Read Less","enableFullDescription":false,"imageGridModuleTheme":"sff-xlight-gray","imageType":"image","mobileNoSlider":false,"noOfGrids":"two","enableLoop":false,"displayFullBorder":"false","contentCtas":[],"ctas":[],"imageGridCards":[{"imageGridCardEyebrow":"Managing Director","imageGridCardDescription":"Laura Slover","imageGridCardImage":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/laura-slover-managing-director-sff.png","imageGridCardImageAlt":"Laura Slover, Managing Director, Skills for the Future at ETS","imageGridCardImageTarget":false,"imageGridCardLongDescription":"Laura is Managing Director of Skills for the Future. She was previously the founder and CEO of CenterPoint Education Solutions. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President at Achieve, Inc. and then the founding CEO of the Partnership for Assessment of College and Careers (PARCC), a consortium of states advancing college- and career-readiness through quality assessments. She started her career as a high school English teacher and community college instructor. From 2007-2014, she served on the District of Columbia State Board of Education."},{"imageGridCardEyebrow":"Carnegie Foundation Vice President, Innovation and Impact","imageGridCardDescription":"Brooke Stafford-Brizard","imageGridCardImage":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/brooke-stafford-brizard-carnegie-foundation-vice-president-sff.png","imageGridCardImageAlt":"Brooke Stafford-Brizard, Carnegie Foundation Vice President of Innovation and Impact, Skills for the Future at ETS","imageGridCardImageTarget":false,"imageGridCardLongDescription":"Brooke Stafford-Brizard is Vice President for Innovation and Impact at the Carnegie Foundation, where she oversees Carnegie’s research and development activities and stewards cross-sector partnerships to accelerate the Foundation’s mission. Brooke spent the past three decades focused on bringing a more holistic approach, grounded in the science of learning and development, to schools and classrooms. Most recently, Brooke served as vice president for research to practice at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, where she led the organization’s grantmaking in education."},{"imageGridCardEyebrow":"Executive Director of Product Strategy","imageGridCardDescription":"Danielle Eisenberg","imageGridCardImage":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/headshot-danielle.jpeg","imageGridCardImageAlt":"Danielle Eisenberg, Executive Director of Product Strategy, Skills for the Future at ETS","imageGridCardImageTarget":false,"imageGridCardLongDescription":"Danielle leads the vision and execution of a comprehensive evidence pipeline—spanning authentic student work, out-of-class experiences, and innovative direct assessments—to deliver asset-based measures of durable skills. She previously founded and led Ignite Ed, a consulting firm that works with forward-thinking organizations to solve critical challenges, launch innovative programs, and invest for impact in education and philanthropy. Most recently, she served as a consultant for the Walton Family Foundation\u0027s Future of Measurement Portfolio."},{"imageGridCardEyebrow":"Executive Director, Programs","imageGridCardDescription":"Susie Bell","imageGridCardImage":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/susie-bell-executive-director-programs-sff.png","imageGridCardImageAlt":"Susie Bell, Executive Director of Programs, Skills for the Future at ETS","imageGridCardImageTarget":false,"imageGridCardLongDescription":"Susie leads SFF’s state engagement efforts, which currently encompass co-design partnerships with five states. Also Chief Program Officer of MTC, an ETS company, Susie supports MTC’s network of member schools as they work to implement a Mastery Transcript or MTC Learning Record. Susie has nearly two decades of experience working in public school systems. Previously she served as the superintendent of the Windsor Locks Public Schools, where she led the systemic changes needed to make personalized and mastery-based learning a reality for all children in Windsor Locks."},{"imageGridCardEyebrow":"Carnegie Foundation Director, Future of Assessment","imageGridCardDescription":"David Sherer","imageGridCardImage":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/david-sherer-carnegie-foundation-director-sff.png","imageGridCardImageAlt":"David Sherer, Carnegie Foundation Director, Skills for the Future at ETS","imageGridCardImageTarget":false,"imageGridCardLongDescription":"David is a key partner helping to spearhead SFF’s state engagement efforts. As Director, Future of Assessment at the Carnegie Foundation, he leads Carnegie’s SFF partnership with ETS. David has deep experience coaching educational leaders on the use of evidence in the improvement process, the development of indicators and measures, and the assessment of organizational health. Prior to joining Carnegie, David was an analyst and evaluator at SRI International’s Center for Education Policy."},{"imageGridCardEyebrow":"Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships","imageGridCardDescription":"Paul Mikov","imageGridCardImage":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/paul-mikov-executive-director-strategic-partnerships-sff.png","imageGridCardImageAlt":"Paul Mikov, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, Skills for the Future at ETS","imageGridCardImageTarget":false,"imageGridCardLongDescription":"Paul serves as the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at SFF, spearheading resource acquisition strategy, institutional partnerships, and fundraising.\u0026nbsp;Before joining ETS, Paul led Bonsai and was Senior Vice President for Global Partnerships at The New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS), where he supported the organization’s Education program and its Global STEM Alliance subsidiary, while also simultaneously serving in the role of senior advisor to the global leadership team of UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited initiative."},{"imageGridCardEyebrow":"AVP, Research","imageGridCardDescription":"Lydia Liu","imageGridCardImage":"/content/dam/ets-org/brands/sff/lydia-liu-avp-research-sff.png","imageGridCardImageAlt":"Lydia Liu, AVP of Research, Skills for the Future at ETS","imageGridCardImageTarget":false,"imageGridCardLongDescription":"Dr. Ou Lydia Liu, Associate Vice President, ETS Research Institute, is a globally recognized expert in assessment of critical skills and competencies in higher education and workforce. She has also managed large-scale grants awarded by government and private funding agencies in the U.S. and international countries including India, China, and Korea. Dr. Liu has authored and coauthored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, research reports, and book chapters in the fields of applied measurement, higher education, and science assessment. Her research appeared in Science, Nature Human Behavior, Educational Researcher, and other influential outlets. She delivered over 100 invited seminars and peer-reviewed conference presentations domestically and internationally. Dr. Liu was inducted as an AERA Fellow in 2023, and received the 2019 Robert Linn Memorial Lecture Award, and the 2011 National Council on Measurement in Education Jason Millman Promising Measurement Scholar Award in recognition of her original and extensive research in learning outcomes assessment in higher education and K-12 science assessment. Dr. Liu holds a doctorate in Quantitative Methods and Evaluation from the University of California, Berkeley."}]}
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching was involved in founding ETS! In 1947, the American Council on Education, the Carnegie Foundation, and the College Entrance Examination Board contributed their testing programs, assets, and several key employees to form an independent non-profit organization, known today as ETS, under the leadership of founder Henry Chauncey.
It is increasingly clear that the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to succeed in the 21st-century workplace are not singularly demonstrated through time spent in the classroom. However, our current system focuses only on what happens in schools and does not capture the many other ways students can gain valuable skills. It also conflates time with learning, limiting student opportunities and overlooking the evidence that students learn in different ways and at different paces.
It’s time to fundamentally rethink education — broadening the aperture of what skills learners need, acknowledging that teaching and learning happen in a myriad of places and ways, innovating how skills and knowledge are measured, and generating meaningful and useful insights to help learners develop.
Read the initial press release here.
Our research is based on the assumption that the field needs immediate access to high-quality measures of durable skills. Educational systems, postsecondary institutions, and the labor market want more information about student's durable skills, but there is insufficient visibility into this area. With better insights into students’ skill development, educators, caregivers, and other caring adults can more intentionally support students on their journey to opportunity and choice-filled lives.
We are redefining testing — shifting from timed “sit and get” tests to a suite of tools and authentic experiences that capture skills that predict success in postsecondary education, career, and civic life — skills like collaboration, communication, creative and critical thinking, and persistence.
We aim to capture learning wherever it takes place — whether that is in school, in after-school activities, sports, internships, apprenticeships, jobs, or family caregiving. Finally, we plan to generate insights throughout the learning process, providing students, families, and educators with actionable insights to help them build essential skills.
We are designing assessments, insights, and skill-based learning records that capture learning that occurs both inside and outside of the classroom. The aim is to:
- Gather input from more places – Submissions of student work, innovative web-based experiences, and direct assessments will capture evidence from inside and outside of school.
- Provide insights at scale – AI-enabled inferences from multi-model evidence tied to skill progression frameworks will provide insights and informative feedback to support development.
- Create records that matter – Transcripts and resumes will depict a student/potential learner/potential employee’s unique value.
Ultimately, our product suite will be designed to capture a range of durable skills and academic competencies, in tandem with disciplinary knowledge, required for students to succeed in K-12, college, and their careers. The first phase of our pilot in 2025 will focus on three skills: collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
We are designing ways to:
- Measure new things – Elevate the durable skills found in many statewide Portraits of a Graduate, such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking — which have been hard to assess in the past.
- Measure them in new ways – Capture evidence of learning from authentic classroom artifacts, and new innovative assessment modules, as well as the learning that occurs outside of school.
- Generate actionable insights – Provide insights about performance across multiple, varied types of evidence to understand learners’ progress in skill development.
- Create skills-based records – Create portable and robust records of skill development and growth with evidence from various learning experiences across a learning journey. These records can be used by employers and colleges to identify and support incoming employees and students.
Skills for the Future’s pilot tools will focus on high school-aged learners.