Acknowledgements

The Career Ready Skills and accompanying toolkit are the result of the concerted efforts of dedicated educators and researchers.  A special thank you is extended to the core team, comprised of representation from the following agencies: Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Office of Childhood Development and Early Learning (OCDEL); Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN); Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry; Pennsylvania Keys; PDE Bureau of Career and Technical Education; PDE Office for Safe Schools, PDE Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction; and Berks County Intermediate Unit 14.

The following groups or agencies are recognized for their review of content and invaluable input: Bloomsburg University, Pennsylvania School Counselors Association, Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology; Washington Greene County Job Training Agency, Inc.; Pennsylvania CareerLink; Social and Economic Development Association (SEDA) Council of Governments;  Monroe County District Justice; Disability Rights PA;  Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3; Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Pennsylvania Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health; TriStarr Staffing, Recruiting and Consulting; Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations; Reflective Wisdom, Inc.; and Health Care Connect: Youth Career Exploration Programs.

Also recognized for their ongoing assistance and support are the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, American Institutes for Research:  Center for Great Leaders and Teachers, The Collaborative for Education and Social Emotional Collaborating States Partnership (CASEL) and, The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).

Most important, a special thanks to the many Pennsylvania administrators, counselors, classroom teachers, and parents who provided valuable feedback on the skills and their relevance to supporting development of employability skills.