District unveils 'Portrait of a Graduate' framework emphasizing collaboration, communication, problem solving and work ethic

Palm Springs Unified presented its new Portrait of a Graduate framework, a districtwide vision that identifies four essential skills—collaboration, communication, problem solving and work ethic—that staff say will be embedded and measured across TK–12 classrooms.

Doctor Karen Dimock, director of college and career readiness, introduced the framework and called it “the shared vision of student success.” She said the Portrait of a Graduate was developed over the past year with input from students, families, principals, counselors and community and industry partners and is intended to prepare students for college, career and life readiness.

Dimock described the four skills and how the district plans to implement and measure them: “Students work effectively with others to achieve shared goals” (collaboration); “Students express ideas clearly, listen actively and engage respectfully” (communication); “Students analyze challenges, develop creative solutions, and take action” (problem solving); and “Students take responsibility for their success by demonstrating perseverance, accountability, and time management” (work ethic). She said the district will use the Panorama survey and existing student supports (for example, counselor lessons and MTSS structures) to quantify progress.

Dimock outlined an implementation timeline that begins with summer planning, staff and principal briefings in the fall, family and community engagement, and brand rollout at back‑to‑school events. She provided a physical “card” the board members could review and noted resources and sample lessons already in use at elementary and middle schools.

Board members asked how the portrait would “materialize” for students (for example, portfolios or artifacts); Dimock said there is not a single model and that final implementation will be calibrated with principals and counselors so that items work for each school.

Staff said more detailed implementation and measurement plans will be shared as work continues and the district seeks to align the Portrait of a Graduate with the LCAP and MTSS efforts.