ICAP Sorting Cards ICAP Activity Cards
Sorting the Work Activity
Interest Inventory
Foundation
Resume Lesson
Preparation
Guest Speaker
Exposure
Internship
Work-Based Learning
FAFSA Lesson
Financial Access
Course Planning
Pathway Alignment
Industry Visit
Exploration
Industry Credential
Tangible Outcome
Cut along the dashed lines • Distribute one set per table group
ICAP Category Posters COMPLIANCE
"We do it because we have to"
Activities that fulfill a requirement or "check a box" but may lack deep connection to a student's personal goals or future trajectory.
MEANINGFUL
"Helping students reflect & grow"
Experiences that allow students to explore their identity, learn about the world of work, and begin making intentional connections.
BIG THREE
"Direct Path to Outcomes"
Activities that directly result in tangible career-readiness outcomes:
1. Credentials / Certifications
2. College Credit / Degrees
3. Work-Based Learning (Internships)
ICAP Facilitator Cheat Sheet Facilitator Cheat Sheet
Activity 2: Sorting the Work (ICAP Foundations)
Time: 15–20 Min
Target Outcome
Distinguish between compliance tasks and meaningful outcomes (The Big Three).
Setup Checklist
Card Sets (1 per table)
3 Category Posters (1 set per table/wall)
Impact Worksheets (Individual)
Step 1: The Why (2 min)
“A lot of ICAP work is happening, but not all of it leads to meaningful futures. We need to think critically about the difference.”
Step 2: The Task (1 min)
“Sort the cards into 3 categories: Compliance (Have to), Meaningful (Learn/Grow), and Big Three (Real Outcomes).”
Facilitator Moves (During Table Sorting)
The Power Prompts
"Why did you put that there?"
"Could this move categories if we changed how it was done?"
"Is this a task or an experience?"
The Elevation Ask
Challenge groups at the 5-minute mark:
“How could a guest speaker turn into Work-Based Learning?”
The Insight
"It’s not the activity itself—it’s how it’s designed and connected."
Almost any ICAP activity can be compliance... or meaningful... or lead to real outcomes.
Elementary
Exposure
Middle
Exploration
High
Access
Sorting Challenge Slides Sorting the Work
ICAP Foundations Activity
The Purpose
Doing ICAP vs. Impacting Students
A lot of ICAP work happens in schools, but not all of it leads to meaningful outcomes.
Focus on Outcomes
Identify the difference between "checking boxes" and building futures.
The Sorting Categories
COMPLIANCE
"We do it because we have to."
MEANINGFUL
"Helping students reflect & grow."
BIG THREE
"Direct path to tangible outcomes."
Group Task
5-6 Minutes to Sort
Work together to place each card.
There are no "wrong" answers—only design choices.
Prepare to share your group's rationale.
Time: 6:00
Elevation Challenge
Pick one task from the Compliance pile.
How could you redesign it so it moves to Meaningful or leads to the Big Three?
Example: Turning a guest speaker into work-based learning.
The K-12 Continuum
Elementary
Exposure
Developing awareness of the world of work.
Middle
Exploration
Connecting personal interests to pathways.
High School
Access
Ensuring outcomes and next steps are real.
Key Point
It’s not the activity itself—it’s how it’s designed and connected.
Are students leaving with an experience, a credential, or a next step—or just a completed task?
ICAP Sorting Mat One Page ICAP Sorting Mat
Place activity cards into the corresponding columns below.
Compliance
"Have to do it"
Fulfilling a requirement
Meaningful
"Reflect & Grow"
Exploration & Discovery
The Big Three
"Direct Outcomes"
Credentials, Credit, WBL
ICAP Foundations Sorting Challenge
One Sheet Mat per Table
