Instruction

Portrait of a Graduate

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The Franklin Local School District vision statement reads: An academic community preparing all graduates to be college or career ready. In order for our students to realize this vision they must be able to meet the challenges that a 21st century job market presents. It is imperative that our graduates not only possess 21st century skills, they must also be equipped with the competencies that will make them successful in this complex and rapidly changing world.

As a district we need to have a clear vision of what types of educational experiences our students will need to prepare them for whatever next step they decide. Because each school district is unique, it is important that our students, teachers and parents are involved in the process for developing the Franklin Local School District Portrait of a Graduate.

Beginning in November, different stakeholder groups began meeting to decide on what competencies we will want graduates of the Franklin Local School District to be able to demonstrate. Over two hundred students, parents, community members and staff took part in seven different meetings to help stakeholders build an understanding of what a Portrait of a Graduate is and why it is needed. At those meetings, examples were shared to help gain more of an understanding of where we were headed. Discussions encompassed the ever-changing job market and what competencies will be needed for our students to achieve future success, whether they choose to enter the career field or to attend college.

Below are the seven competencies that were chosen to provide a strategic direction to design educational experiences to engage, invigorate and prepare our students for whatever future path they choose. In alignment with the Franklin Local School District Portrait of a Graduate, our graduates will be:

  • Creative and Innovative
  • Collaborative
  • A Critical Thinker and Problem Solver
  • An Effective Communicator
  • Flexible and Resilient
  • Self-Driven and Accountable
  • Empathetic

Portrait of a Graduate I Can Statements

Communication

I can:

  • Articulate thoughts and ideas using oral, written and nonverbal communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts.

  • Listen with intention to discover knowledge, values, attitudes and intentions.

  • Convey ideas for a range of purposes (e.g. to inform, instruct, motivate and persuade).

  • Utilize multiple media and technologies, and know how to judge their effectiveness and impact.

Words/Phrases

  • Articulate

  • Listen

  • Interpret Nonverbal Cues

  • Utilize Multimedia

Flexibility and Resiliency

I can:

  • Adapt to varied roles, jobs, responsibilities, schedules and contexts.

  • Persevere in a climate of changing priorities.

  • Reflect upon praise, setbacks and criticism while incorporating feedback effectively.

  • Understand, negotiate and balance diverse views and beliefs to reach workable solutions.

Words/Phrases

  • Adapt

  • Persevere

  • Reflect

  • Negotiate

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

I can:

  • Propose solutions that take into account the impact they may have on the bigger picture.

  • Improve the quality of one’s own thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing

  • Apply logical thinking that is clear, open-minded and informed by evidence.

  • Identify, evaluate, prioritize, and implement solutions to difficult or complex situations.

Words/Phrases

  • Propose Solutions

  • Analyze

  • Apply Logical Thinking

  • Evaluate

Creativity and Innovation

I can:

  • Demonstrate original, imaginative, and innovative ways of thinking.

  • Go beyond traditional rules, patterns, and relationships to create new and meaningful methods or interpretations.

  • Take risks to develop, organize, and manage new initiatives or ventures.

  • Translate ideas into workable solutions.

Words/Phrases

  • Imagine

  • Go Beyond

  • Take Risks

  • Discover

Self-Directed and Accountability

I can:

  • Organize time and manage workload efficiently while prioritizing short and long term goals.

  • Initiate and take action independently, leveraging resources to accomplish goals.

  • Assume ownership by monitoring, defining, prioritizing, and completing tasks.

Words/Phrases

  • Organize

  • Manage Workload

  • Initiate

  • Assume Ownership

Collaboration

I can:

  • Cooperate with others to achieve a common goal.

  • Elicit diverse perspectives and contributions to foster inclusiveness.

  • Support and honor strengths to build group commitment and action.

  • Seek, contribute, and respond to feedback.

Words/Phrases

  • Cooperate

  • Elicit Diversity

  • Honor Strengths

  • Contribute

Empathy

I can:

  • Demonstrate understanding of unique viewpoints and needs.

  • Respect and maintain an open mind towards an individual’s situation and actions.

  • Acknowledge and value the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of others.

  • Recognize and be sensitive to the impact personal actions have on others.

Words/Phrases

  • Understand Viewpoints

  • Respect

  • Value Others

  • Be Sensitive

We understand that high performing schools pay attention to the whole child to improve the quality of life for our students and community members.

Contact Information

Dustan Henderson, Director
Kathy McCutcheon, Secretary


360 Cedar Street
Duncan Falls, OH 43734
740-674-5203