Questions for Reflection in the New Year: What’s a Diploma Worth?
February 25, 2025

HAPPY NEW YEAR!


This week in CONNECTIONS:


  • A DIPLOMA AS A TICKET | A recently released report from the Prichard Committee compels us to consider the value of a high school diploma. Is it a cashable ticket? This and other questions for reflection as we kick off the new year.


  • FROM POSTER TO PRACTICE | Schools and districts across the country are finding creative ways to use their Portraits of a Learner to transform the student experience. We’re sharing examples this week in HAPPENING IN THE FIELD. 


  • A DIFFERENT KIND OF FINAL EXAM | Learn more about how one high school English teacher approached final exams - and what her students had to say.


  • YOUR NEXT STEPS | Learn about elevatED studios, who we are and how we work - and contact us! From day-to-day lesson design to the kinds of systems and structures needed to support a different kind of student experience - one that prepares students for the world today - we’d love to be your design partners. Reach out for more!

Questions for Reflection in the New Year

CONNECTIONS

January 2025 | Issue 13


“What do you want to be when you grow up?” 


A classic question that leads to the most interesting responses - especially from some of our youngest learners. From “I want to be a dinosaur,” to cowgirl, teacher, doctor, basketball player…you name it. They have big ideas about their futures! (Need a smile to start the New Year? Hear what these young learners had to say!)


Coming from Kindergarteners, we don’t worry that they answer this question without any real understanding or research into what it actually takes to reach their career goal. They have plenty of time. We love their optimism and certainty!

But here’s another question. 


Are high school seniors able to answer that same question with a more informed response? 


In December, the Prichard Committee released a report highlighting Kentucky employers’ perspectives on the readiness of high school graduates. Shortly after the release, one news station’s leading headline read, “1 in 10 employers have no confidence in high school grads.” 


We are well aware that shocking headlines like this sell news - and aren’t always accurate. However, key findings from the report are important to consider. 


NEW YEAR | A TIME FOR REFLECTION

With a new year often comes a time for reflection. Perhaps this report serves as an opportunity to consider - 

  • Are students graduating with a real plan - or is their plan really no more than a wish, being no more informed than the aspirations our youngest learners might share?

  • Have we given our students opportunities to explore while exploration is free? Are they learning from professionals in the field?

  • Have we exposed them to careers with the opportunity to find out just what it takes to reach their goals? Have they looked into the education and other requirements that might be necessary?

  • Are graduates leaving us with those important work-ready skills like so many of our Portraits of a Learner promise?
  • If every senior, before being handed a diploma, had to show tangible evidence (acceptance letters, employer or military recruiter correspondence, scholarship awards, job offers) of a post secondary plan, and evidence that they are equipped for success (necessary academic and durable skills, work-based learning experience) could they? 


Resources, including the recent survey data from Kentucky employers, can be found here: Meaningful Diplomas Employer Survey Report (Prichard Committee, 2024)


FROM REFLECTION TO ACTION | As we step into the new year, let’s commit to turning these reflections into actionable improvements to the learner experience. If you’re eager to think more about ensuring every diploma from your school or district is a ticket, we’d love to be a partner in the process!

FROM POSTER TO PRACTICE | Schools and districts across the country are using their Profiles of a Learner (aka Graduate Profiles, Portrait of a Learner/Graduate) to lead to a very different kind of student experience - one that ensures the promises our Profiles make are living in every student’s learning journey. To do that, they’ve designed systems that require students to share evidence of their learning throughout their time in school.


Learn more about how different schools and districts are approaching the work here - and if you have a system in place, we’d love to include it. Please share with us!

A PHILOSOPHY OF LEARNING | Many of us have probably been asked our philosophy of teaching….but have you considered your philosophy of learning? Bullitt Central High School English teacher Arianne Austin asked her high school freshmen to answer this question, along with reflecting upon the BCPS graduate profile competencies and applying their learning from ELA, as their final exam. They were required to prepare a presentation and present to peers. Students said that even though they were nervous about presenting and that it was a lot of work, they preferred this over the traditional final, appreciating the opportunity to share their learning in a different way.

MANY STRINGS ATTACHED | Teacher Navigator and JCPS Library Media Specialist Amy Baker’s students aren’t likely to forget this! They had to collaboratively draw a picture using ribbon connected to one marker. What a great way to reinforce the meaning of effective communication and productive collaboration!

WHAT MIGHT THE NEXT STEPS BE FOR YOUR CLASSROOM, SCHOOL OR DISTRICT? 

Whether looking for ways to bring your Profile to life, how to organize the time we have with students differently, simple shifts to create a different - and much more meaningful and memorable - learning experience, or something else, we’d love to be your design partners. 


Not sure what your next steps need to be? We can help with that too! Contact us at elevatED studios!

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