Real World Learning

The Kauffman Foundation has partnered with employers and school districts across the greater Kansas City region to support experiences allowing students to gain knowledge and skills needed to navigate their future. Real World Learning (RWL) is a Kansas City community initiative to help prepare our region, students, and employers for the future. In a Real World Learning community, learners are prepared for work, school, and life after high school graduation. Visit kauffman.org/real-world-learning/ for more information and click here for a one-pager describing the initiative.

Platte County School District first received the RWL Design and Plan grant in 2021, and has been an active member of the initiative since then.

Real World Learning Goal

The goal of the RWL initiative is that all high school students will graduate with a Market Value Asset (MVA) in addition to their diploma, that prepares them for future work and learning.

A Market Value Asset is defined as an industry valued and recognized skill acquired in high school that creates a more seamless transition from school to postsecondary education and/or the workplace.

Market Value Asset Examples

Work Experiences
Entrepreneurial Experiences
Dual or College Credit
Advanced Placement Courses
Industry-Recognized Credentials
Client-Connected Projects

Platte County School District's RWL Vision/Purpose

Real World Learning is ensuring a meaningful experience for ALL students; one that is relevant and engaging to each student. Our Real World Learning (RWL) vision is to prepare each student for Enrollment, Employment, and/or Enlistment. Our purpose is to ensure that our Pre-K-12th grade experience prepares each learner with his/her own “real world” experience related to his/her personal goals and aspirations.

PCR-3's College & Career Readiness Continuum: Preparing Students for Life Beyond the Classroom

From their very first day of school through graduation and beyond, students are on a journey of discovery: one that helps them understand who they are, what they love, and who they want to become. The PCR-3 College & Career Readiness Continuum guides that journey through three progressive phases: Explore (PK–5th), where young learners imagine and discover careers through play, curiosity, and community connections; Engage (6–8th), where students connect their emerging interests to future pathways through hands-on exploration and planning; and Immerse (9th–21), where students apply real-world skills, deepen their experience through authentic learning opportunities, and design individualized pathways toward college, career, and life after high school. At every grade level, students participate in meaningful, age-appropriate experiences including field trips and leadership teams to internships and client-connected projects, that build the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to pursue their goals with purpose.

Platte County School District's RWL Goals

Improve our facilitation of a more engaging and relevant experience for our students as measured by survey data and student goal achievement.
Improve our intentional facilitation for our students’ secondary Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP), as validated by all students having a post-secondary plan.
Improve on College Admissions Exams (ACT/SAT), Certifications or Credentials pertinent to employment, and enlistment assessment results.
Improve our intentional strategies and actions to ensure that each student graduates with at least one market value asset.

Portrait of a Graduate

Platte County School District is committed to developing the essential skills all students need upon graduation and beyond. Click here to view PCR-3's Portrait of a Graduate, which outlines the six essential skills chosen during the design process to represent the key competencies students need to succeed beyond high school, in their careers, and in life.

Become a Real World Learning Partner

There are many opportunities for businesses to partner with Platte County School District in order to provide students with Real World Experiences. Contact Dr. Aaron Duff, Director of College and Career Readiness with your interest.

For More Information

For more information about Platte County School District's Real World Learning, contact Dr. Aaron Duff, Director of College and Career Readiness.

Click here for PCR-3's latest Real World Learning Update.

The Platte County R-3 School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from discrimination and harassment in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs, activities, or in employment. As required by law, the district provides equal access to district facilities and related benefits and services and will not discriminate against any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, or any other youth groups designated in applicable federal law. The Platte County R-3 School District is an equal opportunity employer. Inquiries or concerns regarding the application of this notice may be referred to our district’s Compliance Officer. Any person who is unable to resolve a problem or grievance arising under Title VI, Title IX, the Age Discrimination Act, Section 504, or Title II of the ADA, may contact the Office for Civil Rights, One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320 Kansas City, MO 64106, phone number (816) 268-0550.

Click here for related school board policy.

Click here for the grievance form.