265. Redefining Student Success: The Portrait of a Graduate Movement with Shannon King

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we dive into the transformative power of the Portrait of a Graduate with Shannon King, Chief Learning Officer at Battelle for Kids. This initiative is reshaping how schools define student success, moving beyond grades and test scores to include durable skills like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking—skills that are essential for thriving in the modern workforce.

Shannon shares insights into the Portrait to Practice and Portrait to Impact frameworks, which help educators bring these skills into the classroom and measure real-world success. We explore the critical role of community engagement in redefining education and discuss the growing recognition that traditional schooling no longer meets the needs of students or employers. With research showing that 85% of job success comes from skills schools often overlook, this work is more urgent than ever.

Join us as we discuss the challenges and opportunities in transforming education, from rethinking assessments and leadership training to shifting the way schools communicate their values. If we were to excavate a school thousands of years from now, what would its artifacts say about what we valued? It’s time to ensure that education truly prepares students for a future we can’t yet predict.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• The Portrait of a Graduate and why it matters
• Durable skills and their impact on workforce readiness
• How communities and businesses influence education reform
• Challenges in transforming schools and redefining success
• The role of authentic assessment and student-led learning
• Why the traditional education model is obsolete and needs reinvention

Resources:

• Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn
• Battelle for Kids – Organization leading the Portrait of a Graduate initiative. Learn more here
• EdLeader21 Network: www.battelleforkids.org/networks/edleader21-network/
• The Future of the Portrait of a Graduate Special Report

Produced by NOVA