Portrait of a Graduate

A Portrait of a Graduate is a collective vision or set of desired outcomes that a school or district aims for its students to achieve by the time they graduate. It is a comprehensive framework that outlines the knowledge, skills, and attributes that students should possess in order to be successful in college, career, and life.

The Portrait of a Graduate provides districts and communities with a shared vision that guides curriculum development, instruction, and assessment. It also helps to align education with the needs of the workforce and the demands of society. It typically includes skills and qualities such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, adaptability, global awareness, social responsibility, and ethical leadership.

The framework may also include specific academic skills and content knowledge in core subjects such as mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies.

A Portrait of a Graduate is important for Portland Public Schools as it is for any other school district. A clear and shared vision of what students should know and be able to do by the time they graduate is essential for ensuring that they are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Here are some specific ways in which a Portrait of a Graduate can be important for Portland Public Schools:

Aligning education with the needs of the community: A portrait of a Graduate can help to ensure that students are prepared to meet the needs of the local community and the border society. By including skills and knowledge that are relevant to the local economy and community, Portland Public Schools can better prepare students for success in their future careers and in their roles as engaged citizens.
Providing direction and focus for educators: A shared vision for what students should know and be able to do can help educators to focus their efforts on the most important learning outcomes. This can help to ensure that students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college, career, and life.
Encouraging collaboration and continuous improvement: By involving a variety of stakeholders in the development of a Portrait of a Graduate, Portland Public Schools can create a shared language and understanding of what students should be able to achieve. This can support collaboration and continuous improvement efforts, as educators and other stakeholders work together to refine and improve the vision over time and develop a strong partnership to ensure the vision becomes a reality.
Preparing students for a rapidly changing world: A Portrait of a Graduate can help to ensure that students are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future, including technological changes, shifting economic conditions, and evolving social and cultural norms. By including specific skills, Portland Public Schools can help students develop the adaptability and resilience they will need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Overall, a Portrait of a Graduate can be an important tool for Portland Public Schools in our effort to prepare students for success in college, career, and life, and to ensure they will be able to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.

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