For leaders in Carter County, it makes sense that a wide net of options will catch and build the skills of more students. That approach is guiding an ambitious update of the district’s vision of learning success to produce a broad new set of recognitions and pathways.
Many districts have agreed on a handful of attributes that define an expanded core of learning experiences. The Kentucky education department’s “portrait of a learner” elevates six attributes — critical thinker, effective communicator, empowered learner, creative contributor, productive collaborator, and engaged citizen.
When a Carter County team of parents, community members, educators, and students began exploring definitions of the skills most important in today’s workplaces, they decided to expand those skills to meet individual student needs.
“We wanted a local accountability model based on local needs, and we found it difficult to funnel what’s needed into five or six areas,” said Superintendent Paul Green. “As the parent of four children who are very different, it’s hard to identify six most important skills. We chose an individual approach built around a personal success profile — a system that allows for truly personalized planning.”
The 3,800-student district will spend this summer and coming school years building its system to define and recognize student outcomes in all 10 areas defined as “durable skills” by the Denver-based group America Succeeds. The organization seeks to bridge the gap between employer needs and education practices. Its skill areas are based on an analysis of current job descriptions.
"They are required in every industry, across all geographies, regardless of educational level,” the group notes in explaining its list: character, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, fortitude, growth mindset, leadership, mindfulness, and metacognition.
Each skill area encompasses 10 attributes. Mindfulness, for example, involves demonstrating listening, patience, compassion, and managing customer relationships. Metacognition includes goal setting, adaptability, attention to detail, and time management.
In 2023-24, Carter County matched individual sophomores with mentor teachers to create a plan that sets goals for high school and beyond and demonstrates the student’s ability to prove strengths in durable skills areas. The district plans to use mentorship to assist students in drafting and monitoring personal success profiles that connect individual strengths and goals with the durable skills themes. The America Succeeds group has expressed interest in researching the Carter County approach.
Leaders in the eastern Kentucky district see stronger individual connections between students and teachers as a key to produce action toward future plans.
“A lot of kids are trying to survive the day. They will tell you they’ve never thought past high school. It paralyzes a lot of these kids,” said Cory Jones, a social studies teacher and coach at East Carter High in Grayson. His mentoring with three sophomores involves regular conversations about their interests, strengths, and areas for growth, he said. Those conversations lead to brainstorming about ways to expand skills and consider paths beyond high school.
“Too many students don’t think they have options or that they are capable of achieving great things,” Jones said. Many students also don’t naturally see how school connects with a career and a productive life, he added. “We are having conversations that are helping kids find their pathways and what they’re good at.”
The district is creating badges students can earn in the 10 skill areas. That system will recognize their activities and pursuits in the classroom and beyond — on teams, at church, in the community, or independently in free time. The badges will become part of a graduation stole that will be prominent at commencement.
Students said the system is producing more forward thinking.
“Working with my mentor has opened my eyes to different career options within nursing that I did not even know about,” said Connor Craig, 16, a student at West Carter High. “Between my mentor and my nursing instructor, I feel like I am on the right path for me.”
Reagan Brown, also 16 and a West Carter High student, said the emphasis on durable skills also prompts students to think about preparing for adult life.
“Being a great nurse not only involves your nursing skills, but also personal skills, collaboration, and communication skills which are just as important,” Reagan said. “Every skill that I am learning can be incorporated into my daily life. I am shy, but this has brought me out of my shell.”
Jennifer Fraley, chief academic officer for the district, said that the expanded mission is gaining traction among parents and employers. “Community interest is becoming stronger as this work develops,” she said.
“The current system was created 100 years ago as an academic system to prepare for college, with academic standards and academic testing,” Superintendent Green said. “We’ve got to move away from only emphasizing and measuring that. When you go to the community, they want to see much more focus on durable skills. We’re working really hard to create that in the coming years.”
