Over the past several years, I’ve seen numerous schools and districts embrace the Portrait of a Graduate initiative. I’ve even had the privilege of assisting a few in this transformative process. Through this journey, I’ve witnessed energetic conversations centered on what we desire for all students: the knowledge and abilities needed to navigate fulfilling lives in our ever-changing world. The promise of the Portrait of a Graduate as a catalyst for change has been truly heartening.
The Why Behind the Portrait of a Graduate
At its essence, developing a Portrait of a Graduate is about setting a unified vision for what education can and should be. It acts as a north star, guiding us toward a shared goal for every student’s success. This concept might seem straightforward—identify the skills, competencies, and attributes our students need, and voila, we’re equipped to prepare them for a bright future.
Curiosity drove me to conduct some informal research, examining both public districts and private schools’ websites to gauge the adoption of this concept nationwide. Remarkably, at least 22 states have developed a statewide Portrait of a Graduate, with numerous district websites across all regions showcasing their commitment. Despite slight variations, the crux of these portraits consistently highlights the 4 Cs: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity.
This sounds promising, right? If the Portrait of a Graduate is being realized, we should expect to see the 4Cs integrated into every facet of education.
The Paradox of Our Educational Values
However, a deeper examination of our educational systems and practices reveals a disconnect between these celebrated ideals and the reality:
- Collaboration is lauded in theory, yet we seldom assess students on their collaborative abilities, often viewing discussions with peers as cheating.
- Communication is deemed essential, but classrooms remain dominated by teacher lectures, limiting students’ opportunities for genuine expression and idea exchange.
- Critical Thinking is proclaimed as a learning cornerstone, yet our assessments frequently rely on surface-level questions.
- Creativity is valued in name, but the inclusion of projects that foster innovation and embrace failure is rare.
Moreover, during a recent school visit, I discovered that despite adopting a Portrait of a Graduate emphasizing collaboration, teachers often worked in isolation. This highlighted a pressing need for systemic change to fully embody the Portrait of a Graduate principles.
The Real Deal with Portrait of a Graduate
In many schools, albeit not all, a pattern emerges that paints a somewhat ironic picture. Despite the widespread adoption of Portrait of a Graduate frameworks, a glaring gap persists between our proclaimed values and our actual practices. This discrepancy prompts us to question: if we’re not prepared to revolutionize our instructional methods, policies, and structures to authentically reflect these values, what’s the point?
As John Dewey aptly noted, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” Likewise, the 4Cs are not merely goals for our graduates; they embody the essence of learning at every educational stage. For this vision to materialize, these competencies must be evident not just in our students but within our educators, our curriculum, and every aspect of our educational districts. Otherwise, we must concede that we’ve merely created an aspirational poster.
Your Thoughts and the Path Forward
I’m eager to hear your perspectives. Have you observed effective implementations of the Portrait of a Graduate? Are you grappling with discrepancies in your own educational settings? I’d love to hear what’s working so far. And if you’re seeking guidance in aligning your educational aspirations with practice, I’m here to assist. Together, we can ensure our educational practices truly reflect the values we champion.