The Ephrata Area School District has implemented a ‘Portrait of a Graduate’ framework to measure student success beyond traditional tests. This approach was developed through extensive community input to align education with local values and needs. It emphasizes skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and resilience for holistic student growth.
Key Points
- Community vision reshapes student learning and assessment methods.
- Focuses on non-traditional metrics for success beyond standardized tests.
- Promotes skills essential for lifelong success and personal development.
Implications for Educational Freedom
This model highlights parental and community empowerment in defining educational outcomes, potentially reducing government overreach in standardized testing. It supports school choice by demonstrating innovative public school practices that could inspire voucher or ESA-funded alternatives.
Source: How Ephrata Measures What Matters for Student Success
