Indicators of an Innovative Problem Solver

Establishing a shared understanding of a competency is key to student success. Here, you will find strategies to introduce the competency, break down its attributes, and help students recognize it in action. By creating a common language, you empower students to connect with the competency in meaningful ways, laying the groundwork for deeper learning and collaboration.

This AI-powered tool helps you design student activities aligned to specific competencies and your grade level. These light, flexible experiences are not content-heavy—they’re designed to help students notice, name, and practice key competencies in action. Use them to build a common language around a competency, before launching a learning experience, or to reflect and deepen competency understanding after a learning experience.  ** Literacy/Mentor Text suggestions are included with every activity!

Access AI-generated prompts crafted by Adam Watson to help teachers seamlessly integrate content area standards with Graduate Profile competencies. These prompts offer a unique way to create tailored lesson activities, with the option to include student interests for a more personalized learning experience. 

These Competency Guides are designed to help teachers bring the BCPS Graduate Profile competencies to life in the classroom. Available for grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12, each guide offers clear, student-friendly language along with examples of what the competency looks and sounds like in practice. With look-fors, prompts, and teacher tips, these guides support intentional instruction and help students understand, develop, and reflect on each competency across content areas.

Discover a curated and continually expanding list of books and articles that strongly align with the Graduate Profile competencies. These mentor texts provide rich examples to support and deepen your students' understanding of the competencies. Check back often as new titles are regularly added.  **This list was compiled in collaboration with Ashlee McDonough, CES.

These grade-band-specific resources support teachers in designing meaningful, student-centered assessments aligned to the BCPS Graduate Profile competencies. Each resource includes developmentally appropriate rubrics, formative and summative assessment strategies, and student-friendly reflection tools. Explore versions for grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12 to help all learners demonstrate growth in real-world and relevant ways.

These family newsletters are designed to help teachers communicate the importance of this competency to families. Available for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, each version explains the competency and provides practical tips for families to support their child at home. Teachers can make a copy, personalize the content with things they are doing in their classrooms, and share it with families to strengthen the home-school connection.

Explore comprehensive performance outcomes for both elementary and secondary levels that align with the Graduate Profile. These outcomes provide clear expectations and benchmarks to guide student growth and development across all grade levels showing ways students can demonstrate mastery of each competency.