As the world continues to experience rapid changes, the traditional metrics for K-12 student success are no longer sufficient. One significant shift, gaining traction across the United States, is the "Portrait of a Graduate" (PoG) framework. This approach aims to redefine what it means to prepare students for the future, ensuring students not only master academic content but also develop essential skills and mindsets needed for success. This blog explores the concept of Portrait of a Graduate, its adoption across various states, and the benefits and challenges it presents for school districts.
What is Portrait of a Graduate
A Portrait of a Graduate (also referred to as Portrait of a Learner, Vision of a Graduate, or Profile of a Graduate depending on the region) is a collective vision developed by departments of education, districts, or schools to define the essential skills and competencies students need to thrive in learning, work, and life. This vision, often created with input from students, educators, parents, and community members, goes beyond traditional academic achievements to include attributes like leadership, communication, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. The goal is to prepare students not just for college and careers but for a rapidly changing and complex world.
The Move Towards Portrait of a Graduate Across the United States
Across the U.S., many K-12 schools and school districts are adopting a Portrait of a Graduate to align their educational goals with the rapidly changing demands of today’s workforce. The shift is driven by the recognition that today's learners face an uncertain future and an ever-changing job market that requires a set of durable skills that were not needed in the past.
Why School Districts are Creating Portrait of a Graduate
Community Involvement
A crucial element of Portrait of a Graduate work includes involving the local community in its creation and implementation. Engaging teachers, students, families, local employers, and community partners ensures that the skills and competencies prioritized reflect the community's unique needs and hopes for their graduates. This collaborative approach can help foster a sense of shared responsibility and commitment toward student success.
Learner-Centered North Star for Decision-Making
The Portrait of a Graduate framework serves as a "North Star" for decision-making within school districts. It provides a clear and unified vision that guides curriculum development, instructional practices, and assessment methods, all while placing students at the center of decision-making. This learner-centered approach ensures that all educational strategies are aligned with the ultimate goal of preparing students for future challenges and opportunities.
Prepared Graduates for a Changing Workforce
Rather than emphasizing academic content and the acquisition of knowledge, PoG focuses on a broader set of competencies, equipping students with the skills needed to navigate a rapidly changing workforce. Durable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration are increasingly valued in today's job market, and districts that can support students in acquiring these skills will be better able to prepare their students for the unknowns of the changing workforce.
3 States Leading the Way
Kentucky Portrait of a Learner
Kentucky has been a frontrunner in implementing the Portrait of a Graduate. The Kentucky Department of Education has developed a comprehensive Portrait of a Learner framework that includes critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. A unique aspect of Kentucky’s approach is that it emphasizes local customization, allowing (and encouraging) districts to tailor the framework to meet their unique community needs while maintaining a consistent focus on essential competencies. In fact, their Innovation Guide provides guidance to districts on how to work with their communities to develop a local Portrait of a Graduate.
Nevada Portrait of a Learner
Nevada has also embraced Portrait of a Graduate, with a state-wide emphasis on personalized competency-based education. The Nevada Future of Learning Network has collaborated with educators, families, students, and business leaders to create a state-wide Portrait of a Learner that represents their vision for graduates. The Portrait of a Nevada Learner includes competencies like curiosity, communication, critical thinking, and resilience. The state’s framework aims to ensure that all students graduate with the skills necessary to succeed in a dynamic workforce and society.
North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate
The North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate outlines a comprehensive vision for student success, aiming to equip all students for postsecondary. This Portrait highlights durable skills like adaptability, empathy, and communication, and aims to “bridge the gap between K-12 education and workforce readiness.” By creating the Portrait of a Graduate, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction hopes to provide a more holistic and balanced way of measuring student success.
Challenges of Portrait of a Graduate
Change Management
Implementing Portrait of a Graduate requires significant changes in mindset and practices within school districts. Teachers and administrators must shift from traditional subject-area goals and a focus on seat time to a more holistic, learner-centered approach to education. This transition can be challenging, as it often involves rethinking curriculum, instruction, and assessment methods.
Time
Developing and integrating a Portrait of a Graduate takes time. Schools and districts need to invest in professional development for teachers, establish systems for tracking student progress, and revisit and optimize their Portrait of a Graduate with all stakeholders. This process requires patience and sustained effort to ensure successful implementation.
Technology to Implement/ Measure Progress
To move a Portrait of a Graduate from poster into effective implementation requires shifts in educational practices and the incorporation of tools that can support students and educators with this meaningful implementation. Leveraging education technology tools like digital portfolios allows students to document and reflect on the competencies they’re developing while addressing the existing challenge that many schools and districts are facing concerning measurement and accountability. Technology tools that provide reporting and analytics and help school and district leaders monitor progress toward a wide range of competencies and provide real-time insights into student development.
Looking for a way to document and report on Portrait of a Graduate competencies? Download Your K-12 Guide to Choosing a Digital Portfolio Platform
The Portrait of a Graduate framework represents a significant shift in K-12 education, focusing on preparing students for a complex and dynamic future. While the benefits of PoG are substantial, including enhanced community involvement, a learner-centered approach, and better-prepared graduates, some challenges must be addressed to realize its full potential. By embracing this holistic vision of student success, school districts can create a more equitable and effective educational system for all learners.
