NY Inspires
NY Inspires is an initiative of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) aimed at transforming education in New York by promoting greater equity within the education system.
Portrait of a Graduate
The New York State Portrait of a Graduate defines the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that all New York students should develop by the time they graduate. It reflects a holistic vision of student success - academic, social, emotional, civic, and workforce readiness.
More Than Academic Achievement
While strong content knowledge remains essential, the Portrait intentionally elevates:
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Critical thinking and problem-solving
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Communication and collaboration
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Civic engagement and global awareness
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Adaptability, resilience, and lifelong learning
These are the competencies students need to thrive in college, careers, and community life.
A Shared, Statewide Vision
The Portrait is common across New York State - it sets a shared expectation for what it means to be a NYS graduate.
At the same time, it is designed to be implemented locally and regionally, allowing districts to reflect their communities, cultures, and student strengths.
Grounded in Research and Engagement
The portrait was shaped by The Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations, extensive stakeholder engagement across the state, and research on future-ready skills and deeper learning. It builds on - not replaces - existing effective practices already underway in many districts.
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Are you a family member who wants to learn more? Click here.
What Does Portrait of a Graduate Look Like in SCSD?
The plan is to move away from seat-time and exam-driven systems to proficiency based learning. This means students will learn more through projects and capstones, research papers and presentations, portfolios of work over time, exhibitions, work based learning experiences, and interdisciplinary learning tasks aligned to solve real-world problems.
Educators will be supported to design interdisciplinary, student-centered learning experiences that emphasize voice, choice, and real-world relevance, ensuring consistent implementation across schools. Family and community partnerships will be strengthened through presentations of learning, exhibitions and capstones that will reinforce civic engagement, communication, and professionalism.
Through Expeditionary Learning, Project Based Learning (PBL), and International Baccalaureate, students demonstrate learning through authentic projects, expeditions, and presentations tied to personal interests - leading to academy pathways and career-aligned course selection that bring the Portrait of a Graduate to life.
Our Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Work-Based Learning bring the Portrait of a Graduate to life by enabling students to demonstrate critical thinking, collaboration, professionalism, and career readiness through authentic, real-world experiences.
What Are the Next Steps?
Through the Summer of 2027, New York State will release prioritized, reformatted learning standards with guidance. Beginning this year, NY Inspires requires financial literacy and climate education for all students - phasing this in through 2029.
In the SCSD, beginning in the Fall of 2025, teachers across PBL schools - along with district content coaches and building coaches - were guided to create interdisciplinary project-based learning units (grades K-8). 9th grade is expected to introduce these units in Spring 2026; and every 7th grader in the SCSD (with the exception of Brighton Academy) is rostered for the Junior Achievement financial program.
Who Should I Contact with Questions?
Families with questions are encouraged to contact their child’s school counselor for more information.