{"id":42892,"date":"2024-12-12T13:43:58","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T18:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.xello.world\/?p=42892"},"modified":"2025-05-15T00:51:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T05:51:19","slug":"portrait-of-a-graduate-framework-for-real-world-readiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.xello.world\/en\/resources\/blog-posts\/portrait-of-a-graduate-framework-for-real-world-readiness\/","title":{"rendered":"Portrait of a Graduate: Framework for real-world readiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

A <\/span>LinkedIn analysis found<\/span><\/a> that the top skills needed in the workforce today are adaptability, communication, customer service, leadership, and project management.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at the pipeline of students set to enter the workforce in two, five, or ten years, there\u2019s a problem. Our schools aren\u2019t assessing students for these competencies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A traditional education model measures student progress through standardized testing, knowledge-based quizzes, and essays. Schools are recognizing that they need a better index of the value they offer students\u2014 and that\u2019s how the Portrait of a Graduate was born.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a Portrait of a Graduate?<\/b><\/h3>\n

A portrait of a graduate is an aspirational picture of what a student will learn and embody from their educational experience. These competencies include durable skills and characteristics that students need to succeed in their careers, current and future education, and society.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This concept of Portrait of a Graduate, also called a Portrait of a Learner or Graduate Portrait, has become popular over the past decade as a way for schools to redefine success beyond academic achievement. According to CASEL and Civic, at least <\/span>20 states<\/span><\/a> have now adopted Portraits of a Graduate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How a Portrait of a Graduate benefits schools, students, and communities<\/b><\/h3>\n

According to <\/span>Battelle for Kids<\/span><\/a>, 69% of districts say that their Portrait of a Graduate has had a moderate to high impact on their district and community, and 65% say it\u2019s had a moderate or high impact on their student learning experience. Here\u2019s why it makes such a difference.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Creates a shared language and shared identity<\/b><\/p>\n

A Portrait of a Graduate creates a collective vision for the skills and characteristics that set young people up for success. This develops a shared vocabulary for teachers, administrators, students, and parents to work toward common goals. It also helps students create a shared identity by being able to talk about their competencies with their peers, on college applications, and in job interviews.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthers recruitment and advancement goals<\/b><\/p>\n

Having a clear vision of student outcomes and skills better equips schools for recruitment efforts. Similarly, schools can fundraise more effectively by demonstrating how they prepare students for a lifetime of success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gives strategic direction for teaching and learning<\/b><\/p>\n

More than half <\/span><\/a>of hiring managers in 2024 believe that recent graduates are unprepared for the workforce. Among the top skills missing are initiative, communication, and problem-solving.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As industries are begging schools to send graduates with better soft skills, schools are recognizing that they need a different rubric for success. Creating a Portrait of a Graduate allows you to align your teaching and curriculum with real needs in your community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Portrait of a Graduate example<\/b><\/h3>\n

This Portrait of a Graduate developed by North Carolina showcases six \u201cdurable skills\u201d it wants students to possess: adaptability, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, empathy, learner\u2019s mindset, and personal responsibility. You can read more about North Carolina\u2019s durable skills and process <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Core competencies to include in Your Portrait of a Graduate\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

A Portrait of a Graduate document should contain four to seven core competencies describing the top skills and abilities each student must master to graduate. Most states and districts have overlap in the competencies they choose, as you can see in the analysis of popular competencies from CASEL and Civic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most popular<\/strong><\/span><\/a> Portrait of a Graduate competencies and skills<\/strong><\/h4>\n