Giving Compass' Take:

• Education Dive explores new research that emphasizes the importance of “soft skills” to survive in today’s college and career environment — and ways that we can help students to acquire them.

• Does this mean funders need to rethink workforce preparation programs? Should a four-year college degree still be the primary goal, or are there other pathways to explore?

• Here's how we can assess soft skills for students with new tests.

Based on new research, educational enterprise solutions provider Hobsons — which aims to connect students to further opportunities — has developed a new K-12 framework for college, career and life readiness.

The research, which is based on results from 10 million students and educators from 13,000 schools, suggests competency in interpersonal skills, self-knowledge and transition skills should be added to the list of competencies alongside academic skills, career knowledge and college knowledge.

Only about half of U.S. students feel their high schools adequately prepared them with the knowledge and skills needed for college, and remedial courses are costing students and taxpayers about $7 billion a year, Hobsons representatives said in an email accompanying a press release.

Read the full article about expanding the meaning of college and career prep by Amelia Harper at Education Dive.