Real Skills for Real Life: Critical Thinker Examples

Type: Guidance/Sample/Template
Topics: College- Career- and Life-Readiness, Curriculum & Assessment, Real Skills for Real Life

February 05, 2026

Critical Thinker Indicators & "I Can" Statements

How can districts teach the metacognitive skills necessary for students to adapt to future challenges that traditional academic credentials alone cannot address?

These examples can help districts move beyond rote content mastery and target the development of executive function skills—specifically working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility—which form the neurocognitive foundation for solving complex, real-world problems.

The following are resources from school districts to help support educators in this work:

Critical Thinker Companion Guide
  Âܲ·AVÊÓÆµMember-Only Companion Guide: Critical Thinker Indicators & "I Can" Statements

This companion guide is a facilitation tool for district leadership teams seeking to integrate metacognitive and other executive functioning skills into their district-wide curriculum and culture.

Login to your Âܲ·AVÊÓÆµmember account to access the companion guide.

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