The key skills students need to be successful after graduation

The Hudson School District started the journey in 2017 asking focus groups the question:

“What skills do students need to be successful after graduation?”

By March 2018, the focus group grew to the entire district with input from K-12 educators defining those skills. In 2019, the community stakeholders were asked the same essential question with the result going back to the educators. This Portrait of a Graduate has been the cornerstone of this strategic plan. The community of Hudson believes that our graduates should have the following skills:

Responsibility

I am a self-directed and responsible learner who is driven to achieve success for my education and future by:

Using resources effectively to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner and according to classroom procedures.
Taking ownership for my next steps for learning and challenge myself even when learning may be difficult.
Reflecting on and adapting my approach to learning by identifying my strengths.
Developing solutions to problems that I encounter and identifying misunderstandings.
Accessing multiple appropriate resources to answer my questions.
Understanding that my educational responsibilities extend outside of school.

Communication

I use various media and tools (personally and digitally) to connect and engage effectively with others to share and develop ideas by:

Reading and comprehending instructional level literary and informational text and expressing my understandings appropriately to a target audience.
Writing coherent sentences and paragraphs consistent with instructional level expectations and expressing my understanding to a target audience.
Communicate clearly respective of the audience and purpose.
Respectfully listen to, with eye contact, and provide various points of view.
Working with others to find solutions to problems.
Identifying misunderstandings in order to clarify thinking or communication.
Using technology appropriately.

Citizenship

I demonstrate the traits that ethical, responsible, contributing citizens exhibit in a healthy community environment by:

Conducting myself as a socially and civically responsible citizen in person and online.
Adhering to rules and laws to ensure safety and security in the community in person and online.
Using expected behavior in both familiar and unfamiliar settings.
Presenting myself appropriately in appearance, attitude, and conduct in person and electronically both at home and at school.
Taking pride in work, school, and community.
Respecting school materials and property.
Accepting consequences for my actions.
Acknowledging that my individual actions can impact either positively or negatively to self and others.
Increasing my exposure with others’ diversity of thought and being.
Pursuing a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity and healthy eating.

Curiosity

I solve problems through critical thinking, curiosity and perseverance by:

Identifying the root cause of an issue and developing an action plan.
Setting goals to develop skills and knowledge needed to solve problems.
Taking reasonable risks with my thinking and solutions.
Asking open ended questions and exploring alternative solutions to problems.
Demonstrating flexibility by evaluating and altering goals as needed
Exploring, engaging, and pursuing my interests and passions.
Using a process to come up with ideas or provide justification that is backed up with evidence with reliable resources.

Social/Emotional

I understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions by:

Being self-aware: Knowing my strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and a “growth mindset.”
Using self-management: Effectively manage stress, control impulses, and motivate myself to set and achieve goals.
Being socially aware: Understand the perspectives of others and empathize with them, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Using relationship skills: Communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressure, negotiate conflict constructively, and seek and offer help when needed (self-advocacy).
Using responsible decision-making: Make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety, and social norm