A few weeks ago, we introduced Portrait of a Graduate, the design process we’re using to reshape how we educate our students. In that communication, we included a survey from which we received great feedback. Below is a recap of Portrait of a Graduate and answers to questions we received from parents and community members. If you ever feel like you didn’t receive the information you need or have other questions, we encourage you to contact any of our administrators directly, as they would be happy to provide answers.
WHY ARE WE CREATING PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE?
We, in conjunction with our community, are creating a portrait of a graduate because every student deserves educational experiences that cultivate essential life skills for a rapidly changing world.
WHAT IS PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE?
Portrait of a Graduate is a design process where Central DeWitt Community School District will work with the community to create a collective vision for student success and reshape how we educate our students.
Our community will provide input on what it means for our students to be career, college, and life-ready, and it will ensure that all stakeholders can work together to provide learning experiences that will lead students toward that vision.
This work requires educators, parents, and community members to take an active role to ensure our students gain the knowledge, skills, and traits to be ready for life’s multiple pathways.
WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS?
Like any industry, we need to adapt to meet the demands of a constantly changing world. In our case, we need to make sure what we are teaching our students gives them the skills and knowledge they will need to find success in the path they choose after graduation.
WHY NOW AND WHY ARE PARENTS JUST NOW HEARING ABOUT IT?
Several schools in Iowa and across the nation have implemented Portrait of Graduate over the last few years with great success. We wanted to learn more, so in September of this year, administrators met with a facilitator from The Center.
Once we learned more about the program and how it could benefit us, we presented the idea to stakeholders in our organization (District Team Leaders, Building Team Leaders, School Board, and staff) to get their thoughts. If our educators did not support this program, there would be no need to continue. Luckily, they were on board. The next step in the process was communicating to parents and community members our plan to move forward and gather their feedback in a survey that was sent on October 20th.
Please remember that the timeline we shared is a suggested timeline from our facilitator and may look different for us as we go along. We are still very early in the process and truly want this to be a collaborative effort. We will openly and regularly communicate as we continue to learn, develop, and implement Portrait of a Graduate. If you ever feel like you don’t have the information you need or have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of our administrators, who would be happy to help.
HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST THE DISTRICT?
Nothing! In fact, we could save money. As we reevaluate our current practices, we may find some no longer benefit our students or align with the competencies produced through the planning process. The funds used for those practices could be saved or reallocated to something that better meets the needs of our students.
WHAT WILL THIS DO FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM CURRENT PRACTICES? WILL YOU SHARE MORE DETAILS?
Portrait of a Graduate makes our students more successful graduates by allowing us to reevaluate and align our current practices with the competencies that come out of the collaboration with our community. By competencies, we mean the skills and knowledge our community and educators feel our students need to have when they graduate.
While this is a new process for our district, it does incorporate several things we are already doing but will change the way we are teaching the competencies. For example, Portrait of a Graduate will help students develop skills over time, starting in elementary school instead of waiting until they reach a certain grade. It also redirects the education path from “what do students need to do now to graduate high school” to “what do students need to do to be successful after graduation.”
It's hard to be more specific now because we are not at the point in the planning process where we have all the answers yet. A lot is riding on what competencies will come out of the collaboration. Portrait of a Graduate will help us make sure we are incorporating ways to learn the competencies in all subjects at all grade levels.
WILL IT BE THE SAME PEOPLE PARTICIPATING WHO ARE ALWAYS AT THE TABLE? HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
While choosing our Design Team, we were very careful and deliberate in our choices to make sure all voices in our community were represented. We will share our Design Team members once their commitment has been confirmed.
If you were not chosen as a Design Team member but would like to be included in the process, there are still several ways that you can contribute in an important and meaningful way. Your voice matters, and we encourage everyone in our community to be involved.
FOCUS GROUPS: Throughout the planning process, we will host several focus groups to gather input on the competencies and other important parts of Portrait of a Graduate.
SURVEYS: Just as important, we will send out surveys to gather input and ideas. We can only include your thoughts or ideas if you share them directly. Please take time to fill out and submit surveys. They do impact decisions at CDCSD.
REACH OUT TO OUR ADMINISTRATORS: We always encourage parents and community members to contact our administrators if you have questions directly, would like to discuss ideas, or share your thoughts.
WHY ARE FAITH COMMUNITIES INVOLVED, AND DOES THIS MEAN RELIGION WILL BE A PART OF THE CURRICULUM?
We chose to have representatives from faith communities participate because they are a demographic that works closely with youth. The purpose of including faith communities has nothing to do with implementing religious beliefs or practices into the curriculum.
HOW WILL YOU ENSURE THIS WILL NOT LOSE STEAM?
You’ve heard about new initiatives before and then never again, right? This certainly happens. We are confident that between the community’s involvement and the results this will produce, we will stay motivated and continually look for new ways to incorporate it down the road. It is our goal to not only use Portrait of a Graduate to change how we educate students now but to continue adapting as needed and make positive changes to our entire culture.
WILL THERE BE MORE INFORMATION SHARED?
Yes! This is a new process for all of us, and as we learn more, accomplish goals, and conquer steps, we will share information with you. Again, if you have questions or would like to share your thoughts, please do not hesitate to contact any of our administrators.
Thank you for your time, and we look forward to working with you as we continue!
Dr. Dan Peterson
Superintendent
dan.peterson@cd-csd.org
(563) 659-0700
Jen Vance
Assistant
Superintendent
jen.vance@cd-csd.org
(563) 659-0700
Mike Miller
Ekstrand Elementary Principal
mike.miller@cd-csd.org
(563) 659-0750
Spencer Lueders
CDIS Principal
spencer.lueders@cd-csd.org
(563) 659-4780
Bill Petsche
CDMS Principal
bill.petsche@cd-csd.org
(563) 659-0735
George Pickup
CDHS Principal
george.pickup@cd-csd.org
(563) 659-0715