Board adopts ‘Portrait of a Graduate’ after wide community input; document to guide curriculum and career pathways

The Lansing USD 469 Board of Education on Aug. 11 adopted a district “Portrait of a Graduate” after a presentation by district staff summarizing community, business and student input gathered over months of outreach.

Presenter Alan (district curriculum lead) described the process as “over 600 surveys with responses, that included middle school and high school kids” and said the portrait was developed from research, business feedback and statewide graduation requirements. “We want our kids to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, adaptable, financial literacy, tech proficiency,” Alan said, adding that the project emphasized media literacy and face‑to‑face communication because those skills came up frequently in community and business interviews.

The adopted portrait lists five headline outcomes for Lansing graduates: leaders with integrity; innovative thinkers; organized and adaptable learners; navigators of financial and digital literacy; and skilled communicators. The board framed the document as a living statement that the district will publish, publicize and use to align curriculum, Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings and community partnerships.

Board members moved to adopt the draft and said the state’s new market‑value asset (MVA) graduation requirements helped shape the final product. One board member said the document will help communicate expectations to families and local employers; another noted the district’s strong AP participation and CTE expansion as supporting elements.

A motion to adopt the Portrait of a Graduate was made and seconded; the board approved the motion by roll call. Several board members suggested follow‑up steps: add measurable benchmarks tied to state MVAs, identify how the portrait will connect to diploma‑plus options, and increase business mentorship and internship opportunities.

Administration said the next step is to publish the portrait and treat it as a living document that will be periodically reviewed and updated while district staff pursue alignment with course offerings and CTE expansions.

The adoption was procedural and did not change students’ diploma requirements at the time of the vote; board members said additional actions — including possible curriculum changes or graduation pathway definitions — would return for later consideration.