Kentucky is one of a growing number of states to rethink what it means for students to graduate high school successfully. Instead of tracking their GPA and ensuring they complete a certain number of courses, enroll in college or obtain employment, the state has developed a rubric that moves beyond traditional measures of success to consider a broader picture of what it means to be a successful K12 graduate.
Of course, those metrics are still important. But our “Portrait of a Graduate,” as we call it, takes into account the whole student and aims to provide a more holistic assessment of their abilities and strengths before we release them into the wild—a new-age measure that will aid them in navigating real-world challenges as much as it aids us in understanding whether we’re doing our jobs well.
In Kentucky, the portrait of a graduate is defined as an engaged citizen, a critical thinker, an effective communicator, an empowered learner, a creative contributor and a productive collaborator. And in Fayette County, based on the experiences our families told us they want for their children, our portrait of a graduate is a promise that each of our neighborhood schools and 34 magnet, gifted and talented, and special programs provides an education designed to help students become lifelong learners, civically engaged and culturally responsive, future and life ready, reflective and resilient.
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We’re not alone: at least 17 states and dozens of districts have adopted such profiles for the types of skills with which students should graduate from high school. Importantly, the new goals don’t replace our larger objectives to raise academic achievement, close learning gaps, and respond to employers’ needs. They offer a more well-rounded view of what success looks like, with a focus on integrating real-life skills to prepare for success beyond high school.
Here’s the challenge: the onus is on us to measure such skills, tie them to student progress and ultimately make them meaningful. Otherwise, it’s just an exercise in futility.
New ways to evaluate a future graduate
In our corner of Kentucky, we’ve intentionally invested in evidence-based assessments that help us understand the strengths and unique abilities of every student. It’s a crucial part of our commitment to providing students with access to high-level instruction, quality curriculum and opportunities to build the skills necessary to be successful both in the classroom and beyond.
Like so many other districts right now—with increased awareness of the impact of student mental health and social-emotional learning on academic success—we explored new measures to evaluate student outcomes. Identifying and nurturing student strengths requires innovative research and assessment programs that measure more than achievement growth.
To that end, we’re prioritizing methods grounded in educational and psychological research, and helping students develop their ability to recognize and articulate their own growth. We’re providing actionable insights for teachers to support individual student needs and foster skill development—all while ensuring assessments directly correspond to defined student outcomes.
This process increases student motivation and responsibility for their own learning. It encourages students to work hard to achieve their goals and become academically prepared, ready for college or a career, civically engaged and culturally competent, and equipped for the challenges of the future.
Indeed, effectively evaluating cognitive ability and social-emotional strengths builds resilience and instills hope and agency for student success in school and beyond.
An unknown future
It goes without saying that we are preparing students for an unknown future. The top 10 in-demand jobs in 2022 didn’t exist in 2012. Today, 65% of primary school children will work in jobs that don’t yet exist. Traditional academic measures alone are no longer sufficient and there is a growing need for new metrics capturing critical skills like creativity and resilience.
Now, more than ever, learning experiences must not be just about mastering challenging academic content. They also must be more intentional about fostering communication, collaboration, adaptability and other skills our students need to thrive.
To achieve our district mission, students need to develop the skills to effectively manage relationships and responsibilities, work collaboratively with people of diverse backgrounds, and have the skills to navigate challenges and solve problems.
Through this endeavor, we hope to provide a more comprehensive picture of what student success means. For Fayette County public school students, our commitment to the portrait of a graduate will ensure not just their continued growth and achievement as it relates to academic performance, but also as it relates to social skills, problem-solving skills, emotional regulation and self-management—all of which ensure their readiness for civic life, career or college.
