The Profile of a Graduate focuses on the necessary knowledge, skills, experiences and characteristics that Virginia students should master in order to successfully pursue a college path and/or move into the workforce. A well-rounded graduate has attained content knowledge, workplace skills, career exploration, and engaged with their community as a responsible and responsive citizen. The goal is for graduates to be “life ready”. Reflecting on the importance of graduates to still successfully complete certain class credits, it is encouraging that the standards for those classes have been designed with a focus on the five Cs: critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and citizenship (Education, V. D., n.d.). While our Virginia graduates must meet academic requirements, they are seen as a whole person who is ready to contribute to and participate in society (Profile of a graduate, n.d.).
Being in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department as a Family and Consumer Science teacher, I am required to teach skills to prepare my students for the workplace. Virginia’s Workplace Readiness Skills focus on personal qualities and abilities, interpersonal skills, and professional competencies (Framework for the future, n.d.). I am proud to be part of a curriculum that focuses on both workplace readiness and life skills. Virginia’s Profile of a Graduate largely focuses on authentic experiences which fits in perfectly with Family and Consumer Science (FACS) courses. The educational content of FACS classes can be easily connected to realistic applications. Learning about nutritional guidelines in a Nutrition and Wellness class can be authentically taught when students are able to create a well-balanced meal plan by analyzing USDA nutritional guideline requirements instead of just memorizing numbers and facts. Realistic application of FACS “life literacy” content will help students become critical and creative, communicative and collaborative, and good citizens; that is exemplary!
References
Education, V. D. of. (n.d.). Profile of a Virginia graduate. VDOE :: Graduation (Diploma) Seals of Achievement. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/graduation/profile-grad/index.shtml
Framework for the future: Workplace readiness ... - ctecs.org. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2022, from http://www.ctecs.org/sites/default/files/files/WRS%20Summary%20Report%20FINAL%202-15-19.pdf
Profile of a graduate - youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAkALn4mF1g.%20