In recent years, Kentucky has taken bold steps to redefine what it means to be a successful learner. At the heart of this transformation is Kentucky's Portrait of a Learner, a framework defining the essential skills, mindsets, and competencies students need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. This statewide effort is a response to the evolving demands of the global economy and the recognition that traditional educational models must adapt to prepare students for lifelong success.
Why Kentucky Shifted to Portrait of a Learner
Kentucky's shift to the Portrait of a Learner is rooted in the understanding that education is not just about academic achievement but about equipping students with the skills and attributes necessary for success beyond the classroom through deeper learning. The state has recognized that the traditional focus on academic content, while important, doesn’t provide the full picture of what student success means.
The Portrait of a Learner framework is a collective vision designed to ensure that students graduate with a well-rounded set of durable skills, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and adaptability. These competencies are essential in today’s world with technology and automation rapidly changing the workforce. The ability to adapt and successfully navigate these changes is becoming increasingly important.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the Portrait of a Learner. The KDE has worked closely with educators, administrators, parents, students, and community stakeholders across the state to create a shared vision for what Kentucky learners should know and be able to do by the time they graduate.
This collaborative approach has ensured that the Portrait of a Learner is not just a top-down mandate but a community-driven initiative that reflects Kentucky's diverse communities' unique needs and aspirations. The KDE has provided guidance, resources, and support to districts as they develop and implement their own local versions of the Portrait of a Learner, tailored to the specific context of their communities.
Muhlenberg County Schools: A Vision for Lifelong Learning
Muhlenberg County Schools have embraced the Portrait of a Learner framework, creating a Profile of a Learner that emphasizes the competencies they hope all their students will develop by the time they graduate. The district's Profile of a Learner emphasizes the development of five key attributes: Engaged Citizen, Effective Collaborator, Creative Problem Solver, Skilled Communicator, and Empowered Learner. These attributes are highlighted throughout the school year, with a different attribute to focus on each month. Muhlenberg County takes a K-12 approach to their Profile of a Learner and has created learning progressions that outline what each competency looks like at various grade bands: K12, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
Looking ahead, the district is continuing to emphasize their Portrait of a Learner this upcoming school year, encouraging local businesses to take an active role in it by providing mentorships and taking part in students’ defense of learning.
Christian County Schools: Cultivating Future-Ready Graduates
Christian County Schools has created a Profile of a Graduate that articulates the district's vision for future-ready students. The district's Profile of a Graduate focuses on six competencies: Accountable Self-Starter, Adaptable Learner, Career and/ or Work-Ready Professional, Collaborative Problem Solver, Empathetic Communicator, and Innovative Critical Thinker. These competencies are designed to prepare students for the complexities of the changing world and to ensure they have the skills needed to succeed and make an impact in their community after graduation.
Christian County Schools have embedded these competencies into their curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices, creating a cohesive and integrated approach to student development. The district also emphasizes a performance assessment aspect of their Profile of a Graduate, recognizing that traditional assessments don’t allow students to highlight mastery of these skills and competencies. Instead, students leverage a portfolio and defense of learning to showcase their ongoing growth and development in these areas.
Woodford County Schools: Preparing Learners for a Dynamic World
Woodford County Schools has adopted the Portrait of a Learner framework with a focus on preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist. The district's Portrait of a Learner includes five key competencies: Resilient Learner, Reflective Collaborator, Empathetic Communicator, Creative Problem-Solver, and Responsible Citizen. These competencies are designed to equip students with the skills and attributes they need to be successful in a rapidly changing global economy.
The district is working to weave the Portrait of a Learner into its curriculum, everyday instruction, activities, and field trips, ensuring that students have opportunities to develop these competencies in meaningful and authentic ways. Woodford County Schools have also emphasized the importance of whole-child education and the role these Portrait of a Learner competencies play in helping prepare students for success in the future.
Kentucky's shift to the Portrait of a Learner represents a significant transformation in how the state approaches education. By focusing on the development of essential skills and competencies, Kentucky is ensuring that its students are prepared for challenges and opportunities that don’t yet exist. The efforts of districts like Muhlenberg County Schools, Christian County Schools, and Woodford County Schools highlight the importance of a community-driven approach to education, where the needs and aspirations of students are at the center of all decision-making. Through the Portrait of a Learner, Kentucky is paving the way for a future-ready education system that empowers students to succeed in college, careers, and life.
