Overview
Graduation has been the obvious goal of K-12 school districts since the advent of public schools. Districts spend countless hours reviewing standards, aligning curriculum and writing lesson plans in an effort to help each student achieve the academic level sufficient to receive a diploma. But recently a movement has taken hold across many states and districts to give serious thought about the complete picture of a graduating senior. In addition to grade level proficiency in core academic areas, what other attributes do districts, and the local communities they serve, want their graduates to display?
Santa Cruz Valley is one such district that has engaged its community through focus groups, round table staff meetings, and site councils for nearly two years to produce the SCV35 Portrait of a Graduate. In the 22-23 school year, sites engaged in discussions about how to recognize and provide feedback on so-called soft attributes such as responsibility and agency. With just days before the opening of the 2023-2024 school year, the SCV35 Portrait of a Graduate stands ready to guide teachers, students and parents in developing the well-roundedness students will need for success in their post-secondary ventures.