Iowa City Community School District
Portrait of a Graduate
The vision of the future for our students
Our District's Portrait of a Graduate design team has completed the initial work toward the goal of making 21st century learning a reality for all students. The team has developed the six core competencies that articulate our community’s aspirations for all of our students.
ADAPTABILITY
A graduate...
- Works effectively in a climate of uncertainty and changing priorities.
- Exhibits agility in thoughts and actions.
- Understands, negotiates, and balances diverse views and beliefs to reach innovative solutions and creates an environment where others can do the same.
EMPATHY
A graduate...
- Practices awareness, sensitivity, concern, and respect for others.
- Seeks to understand others’ feelings, opinions, experiences, and culture.
COMMUNICATION
A graduate...
- Conveys thoughts and ideas effectively using communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts.
- Listens actively and effectively to understand meaning and diverse perspectives, including knowledge, values, attitudes, and intentions.
- Considers all audiences and ensures equity of voice, especially in a group setting.
GLOBAL CITIZENS
A graduate...
- Values diverse cultures and unique perspectives through mutual respect and open dialogue.
- Demonstrates personal, civic, social, financial, environmental, local, and global responsibility through ethical and empathetic behaviors.
- Educates themselves and takes personal action to make their community and world a better place.
CRITICAL THINKING
A graduate...
- Evaluates the quality of one’s own thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reflecting.
- Engages in metacognition that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence.
LEARNER’S MINDSET
A graduate...
- Is motivated by curiosity to experience new ideas.
- Understands the concept of growth from failure.
- Expresses the desire to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Seizes opportunities to actively listen and embrace diverse perspectives from others.