The NUSD Graduate Profile : 6 C’s and Beyond
Graduate Profile : History and Development
The development of the Graduate Profile began with meetings of the District Advisory Committee, bringing together cutting edge research on 21st century teaching and knowledgeable experts on implementation. From there, the DAC identified the 6 C’s: essential skills students will need to meet benchmarks, utilize their classroom learning effectively, and develop into successful well rounded citizens of our global community.
At this stage of development, the DAC is working on rubrics for how the 6 C’s will be measured at various levels, as well as collaborative plans for working with schools to make sure their implementation is successful and aligns with the district’s vision.
Important Documents
The Six C’s of the Graduate Profile
Collaboration
----Collaboration
- Active, mindful participant
- Commitment and accountability to the group
- Provides and accepts feedback/constructive criticism
- Interpersonal communication
- Understanding value of collaborative outcomes
- Strives to promote learning and achieve common goals (Defines Collaboration)
- Flexibility and open mindedness
- Conflict management skills
- Building consensus within a group
Communication
----Communication
- Written – essays, letters, email, job applications, resume
- Oral – One to one, to each other, presentations
- Listening – active listening, receptive to new ideas
- Digital Literacy – how to evaluate sources, how to use resources, how to choose resources,
- Where will digital footprint end up
- Non-verbal – read audience, read body language
- Respectful – tone, volume, taking turns, being present while listening
Critical Thinking
----Critical Thinking
- Creative problem solving/solution finding
- Constructing arguments
- Curiosity/questioning/inquiry
- Information & discovery
- Reasoning
- Interpretation and analysis
- Self-Regulation/reflection
- Resourcefulness
- Understanding multiple perspectives
Conscientious Learning
----Conscientious Learning
- Prioritization/organization/time management
- Goal Setting
- Self-advocacy/Initiative
- Self-reflection/self-awareness
- Curiosity
- Health and wellness
- Career awareness
- Financial literacy
Cultural Competence
----Cultural Competence
- Equity
- Global Awareness – understand various viewpoints, lifestyles, and cultures
- Ability to build working relationships with people from other cultures and backgrounds
- Respecting and understanding diverse perspectives
- Bilingual/bi-literate/multicultural
- Contributes to solutions that benefit the larger community
- Civic engagement
Character
----Character
- Empathy
- Ability to understand and share the feelings of another
- Integrity
- Quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
- Respect
- Showing honor or esteem for someone or something
- Responsibility
- Growth Mindset
- Perseverance/Resilience
What is 21st Century Learning?
21st Century Learning emphasizes the growth of the whole student, not just in content knowledge, but also a variety of skills, which contribute to their competitiveness in a global economy and health as a well-rounded citizen. This model shifts the framework of teaching from simple content delivery to a holistic approach where students are engaged with dynamic hands-on content which challenges them to develop in 6 critical areas of competency. With this philosophy, teachers support students in owning their own learning and becoming active participants in the process by acting as a “guide on the side,” instead of the traditional “sage on the stage.” The ultimate goal, of course, is to educate students with the skills they need to develop agency in their lives and the world beyond.
An Example of 21st Century Learning Skills In Action
Infographics Explaining 21st Century Learning Principles
Meeting 21st Century Needs in our District
Several years ago, California opted to adopt the Common Core State Standards, a rigorous set of new standards for Language Arts and Mathematics which expects students not only to master the content they are studying, but also to be able to apply, reason with, and understand the fundamentals of academics. The new statewide testing system CAASPP, measures students’ progress aligned with the CCSS, and is a key metric not only in assessing content fluency, but also a student’s ability to utilize content to demonstrate understanding or accomplish specific goals. These are 21st Century Learning Skills, the building blocks of an education that will prepare students to be competitive and successful in our new global world. It is NUSD’s mandate and mission to provide the best possible education for our students; to prepare the children of our community for success not just today, but also in the future.
In line with these new expectations and goals, NUSD is working hard to transform teaching in the district to meet the needs of our diverse and growing district by:
- Realigning curriculum to meet Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards
- Updating facilities to create safe, clean, and collaborative environments where teachers can effectively employ 21st Century Teaching Techniques
- Providing access to modern instructional tools and professional development for teachers
and
- Instituting the new Graduate Profile to help schools guide the transformation of teaching and assessment in the district.