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1-24-19 — Board Approves Portrait of a Graduate
Jan. 24, 2019 ~ Every school system is unique, and is connected by a shared aspiration: that all students have an educational experience preparing them to be successful post-graduation. Now more than ever, that learning experience must not only provide for the acquisition of rigorous academic content, it must also be more intentional about fostering critical thinking, encompass specific 21st century skills, and habits of mind needed to navigate and thrive in a complex, rapidly changing world.
This fall, the district embarked on a process to define the Portrait of a Graduate.
What do we want our students to know and be able to do? This development process involved a sustained conversation leading to shared agreement focused on a unique community-owned picture of what graduates need for success. Representatives included communities of faith, business, higher education, community members at large, social service agencies, district leaders, school leaders, families, teachers, and students. Through this inclusive process, the Portrait of a Graduate encompasses the community’s collective vision for our students. This process was branded #theirfuture2032, as 2032 is when our 2019 incoming kindergartners will graduate from high school.
The competencies included in the district’s Portrait of a Graduate include: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Creativity and Innovation; Initiative and Self Direction; Resilience and Social and Emotional Wellbeing; Communication; and Social and Cross-Cultural Skills.
The competencies identified in the Portrait of a Graduate will drive the creation of an updated District Strategic Plan which will encapsulate the competencies and drive our future work as a district and as a community.