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Kings Park plans Portrait of a Graduate focus, readies staff training on AI and mental-health supports
Summary
District administrators told the Board on Aug. 5 the 2025'26 instructional theme will center on six graduate attributes tied to the state's Portrait of a Graduate; plans include AI professional development for teachers, a student mental-health focus and preparations to comply with a new cellphone ban in instructional spaces.
District instructional leadership outlined the Kings Park Central School District'wide academic priorities for 2025'26 at the Aug. 5 board meeting, aligning local themes with the State Board of Regents'released Portrait of a Graduate and previewing changes to diploma pathways and classroom practice.
Dr. Egan told trustees that New York is moving toward "one diploma in the state of New York with multiple ways to get there," and that "the Regents exams over the next couple years are gonna be decoupled from graduation." He explained that the district has adapted the state's framework into six attributes (for example, academically prepared, innovator, critical thinker, effective communicator, global citizen and reflective/future'focused) and will emphasize those attributes across seven monthly focus periods under the theme "learning and preparing for my future."
The presentation included operational priorities: increasing teacher professional development around appropriate classroom uses of artificial intelligence, embedding culturally responsive curriculum and instruction, and a renewed emphasis on student mental health. On classroom devices and discipline, Dr. Egan referenced the state's "Internet enabled device ban" (commonly described as a cell'phone ban) and said the district will incorporate community discussion and planning about how to implement the rule while supporting student well'being.
Dr. Egan said the district will use rubrics such as a "seal of civic readiness" that enables students to demonstrate mastery through multiple pathways: "if students score 6 points on the rubric of the seal of civic readiness, they get this seal on their diploma when they graduate," he said. The superintendent emphasized that details on how mastery will be shown "remains to be seen" at the state level and that the district will monitor guidance as it is finalized.
Board members praised the focus on measurable goals and community input; trustees asked district staff to ensure goals are tracked and reported. The instructional-theme work will roll into the coming school year and professional development schedule for teachers.
