To ensure that our analyses reflect the full range of competencies, we begin by describing broad categories of outcomes deemed to be vital in the 21st century, and then we identify a diverse set of exemplars within each category. This approach helps ensure wide coverage and reasonable balance among the differing skillsets subsumed under the general heading of 21st century competencies. This two-level structure mirrors the approach taken by a number of organizations in the United States, Asia, and internationally. At the top level, we loosely follow the categories used by the National Research Council, which also reflect the priorities articulated by GCEN members and various organizations with expertise in 21st century competencies. These broad categories are the following: