In practice, students with mastery of deeper learning would be prepared for postsecondary education through demonstrating the ability to:

1.     Master core academic content. Students develop and draw from a baseline understanding of disciplinary knowledge. This includes facts and theories in a variety of domains and the language to understand how this information aggregates into a way of knowing that can be used for real-world applications.

Component breakdown, from less to more complex:

1. Students are able to demonstrate a baseline understanding of core content knowledge

2. Students learn, remember and can recall facts relevant to a content domain

3. Students are able to extend core knowledge to novel tasks and situations in a variety of domains

4. Students learn and can apply theories relevant to a content domain

5. Students know and are able to use the language specific to a content domain when communicating within that domain

6. Students are able to apply facts, processes, and theories to real world situations

2.     Think critically and solve complex problems. Students can apply tools and techniques gleaned from core subjects to formulate and solve problems. These tools include data analysis, statistical reasoning, scientific inquiry, hypothesis generation, interpretation of disparate information, and construction of well-reasoned arguments. They also encompass creativity, nonlinear thinking, and persistence.

Component breakdown, from less to more complex:

1. Students are familiar with and are able to effectively use the tools and techniques specific to a content domain

2. Students formulate problems and generate hypotheses

3. Students identify the data and information needed to solve a problem

4. Students apply the tools and techniques specific to a content domain to gather necessary data and information

5. Students evaluate, integrate, and critically analyze multiple sources of information

6. Students monitor and refine the problem solving process as needed based on available data

7. Students reason and construct justifiable arguments in support of a hypothesis

8. Students persist through the problem solving process to solve complex problems

3.     Work collaboratively. Students cooperate to identify and create solutions to social, vocational, and personal challenges. This includes the ability, first, to identify common goals; secondly, to organize people, knowledge, and resources to contribute toward the goals; and, finally, to capitalize on multiple points of view in the group to better achieve the goals.

Component breakdown, from less to more complex:

1. Students are able to collaborate with others to successfully complete tasks and solve problems

2. Students are able to work as part of a group to identify group goals

3. Students are able to work as part of a team to plan problem solving steps and identify resources necessary to meet group goals

4. Students are able to communicate and incorporate multiple points of view to meet group goals

4.     Communicate effectively.Students organize their thoughts, data, and findings clearly. They listen well and can present others’ concepts as well as their own. They express themselves in written or oral forms as appropriate for their audiences.

Component breakdown, from less to more complex:

1. Students are able to structure information and data in a meaningful and useful way

2. Students are able to listen to and incorporate feedback and ideas from others

3. Students are able to provide constructive and appropriate peer feedback to others

4. Students expect that multiple drafts are needed to create a final communication; they understand that creating a quality final version is an interactive process requiring review and revision at each step

5. Students are able to communicate complex concepts to others, in written and oral presentations

6. Students are able to tailor their message to be appropriate for the intended audience

5.     Learn how to learn. Students can monitor and direct their own learning. This includes managing themselves in ways essential to succeeding in formal or self-directed environments.

Component breakdown, from less to more complex:

1. Students are aware of their strengths and weaknesses

2. Students recognize their weaknesses and work harder in those areas

3. Students monitor their progress towards a goal, and adapt their approach as needed to successfully complete a task or solve a problem,

4. Students enjoy and seek out learning on their own

5. Students understand and are prepared to meet changing expectations in a variety of academic, professional and social environments