OSD Asking Parents for Input for Portrait of a Graduate

By Alyssa Schnugg
Staff writer
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

The Oxford School District has been working with the community this summer to create its own plan as to what skills, traits, and abilities OHS graduates must possess to succeed in the 21st-century workforce.

Kicking off the effort was several public showings of the documentary, “Most Likely to Succeed,” that examined the history of education in the United States and revealed shortcomings of conventional education methods in today’s innovative world. The film explores new approaches to education. More than 3,000 communities have shared a screening of the film, directed by documentarian Greg Whiteley, since its release.
After the screenings, 45 community stakeholders formed a committee to draft a list of essential competencies for success in the changing workforce. The stakeholders met during May and June to work on the draft.
The draft is now complete and Superintendent Brian Harvey is asking parents for their input.
“Please take a moment to view the Portrait of a Graduate design and consider the ways it will affect change in our entire district,” he wrote in an email to OSD parents this morning.
After reviewing the design, parents are asked to answer a few questions here. 
“As always, we appreciate your support,” Harvey wrote to parents.
The Profile of a Graduate Team is made up of representatives from the Board of Trustees, the district office, city and county leaders, teachers, administrators, small business owners, students, industry, families and community members and representatives from the Northwest Mississippi Community College, University of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi School of Education.
Profile of a Graduate is a document the district will use to specify the cognitive, personal, and interpersonal competencies that students should have when they graduate. It describes the attributes, skills and attitudes the district hopes graduates will develop while in school to help better equip them for their future.
Profile of a Graduate will be part of a new strategic plan for the district that will begin in September where the OSD Board of Trustees and the community will focus on the vision, mission, values and goals for the district in the coming years.
In January, the focus will shift to district and school objectives and indicators of success.
The strategic plan should be ready for consideration of approval by the Board of Trustees in July 2019.