Overview:
The "Portrait of a Graduate" in New York State is a significant shift in how student success is defined and measured. It's part of a broader "Graduation Measures Initiative" by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) aimed at ensuring all students are prepared for college, careers, and civic life in a rapidly changing world.
The Portrait of a Graduate goes beyond traditional academic knowledge and standardized test scores (like the Regents exams) to focus on a more holistic set of skills and competencies.
New York State Portrait of a Graduate emphasizes seven core areas that students should demonstrate proficiency in:
- Critical thinking
- Innovative problem-solving
- Literacy across all content areas
- Cultural competency
- Social-emotional competency
- Effective communication
- Global citizenry
Transformative Changes include:
- Redefining credits and learning experiences to focus on proficiency.
- "Sunsetting" or decoupling Regents assessment requirements from graduation requirements (meaning students will no longer need to pass all Regents exams to graduate).
- Moving to one high school diploma (with potential for seals or endorsements to recognize advanced achievements).
The overall goal is to equip students with the skills and competencies they need to thrive in a complex world, emphasizing real-world scenarios, project-based learning, and alternative pathways to demonstrate proficiency (e.g., internships, capstone projects).
In essence, the New York State Portrait of a Graduate aims to create a more relevant and equitable educational experience, moving towards a system where students are assessed not just on what they know, but on what they can do and how they apply their skills.
