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State Education Department staff today presented a revised to the Board of Regents, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced. This presentation is the most recent update to SED’s “New York Inspires” plan to transform education in the state, first introduced in November 2024. The Portrait of a Graduate will serve as the guiding framework for the state’s education system and create a shared understanding of the skills and knowledge students are expected to demonstrate upon high school graduation.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “The Portrait of a Graduate captures the comprehensive vision New York State holds for its students, blending academic mastery with essential life skills. It affirms that a diploma is not merely a certificate, but a testament to each graduate’s readiness to thrive in a complex and rapidly changing world. As we move closer to implementing new graduation measures, the Portrait of a Graduate will guide the way as we commit to developing well-rounded, future-ready individuals.”

Commissioner Rosa said, “The Portrait of a Graduate is a blueprint for future graduates, where academic excellence meets the ever-evolving world outside the classroom. It paints a picture of students who are not just knowledgeable, but also curious, compassionate, and capable of turning challenges into opportunities. It is a testament to the belief that education is not just about learning facts, but about becoming the kind of person who can change the world for the better.”

The revised New York State Portrait of a Graduate supports the P-20 continuum by ensuring educators are preparing the whole student for complex and interconnected challenges in the real world. As teachers adapt their teaching to meet the needs of our diverse, unique learners, the revised portrait allows for more flexibility and creativity in the process, ultimately improving student engagement and motivation by making learning more relevant and interesting. The portrait also supports an increased understanding of how different subjects relate to each other, helping students to see the bigger picture and make connections between concepts.

The revisions coincide with the opportunities identified by stakeholders during the ambassador forums. Stakeholders identified five significant opportunities related to adopting a New York State Portrait of a Graduate, including increased flexibility and student choice; multiple pathways to graduation; holistic, well-rounded education; real-world, career readiness; and the opportunity to create an equitable, inclusive education system.

The collective goal is to ensure every student graduates, not only academically prepared, but equipped with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. A New York State high school graduate will be:

• Academically Prepared: by demonstrating a strong foundation in the New York State learning standards and being equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve success in college, careers, civic engagement, service, and life.
• A Creative Innovator: by utilizing imagination, curiosity, and flexible thinking to solve problems creatively, and develop new ideas and products, while adapting to evolving circumstances and challenges.
• A Critical Thinker: by analyzing information thoughtfully, evaluating evidence critically, and identifying patterns and connections between different pieces of information (across multiple content areas) to address complex issues and navigate the world with insight.
• An Effective Communicator: by articulating ideas clearly and confidently through speaking, writing, and the use of different types of media for various purposes, while engaging with diverse audiences and actively listening to different perspectives.
• A Global Citizen: by acting responsibly and ethically within local, global, and digital communities, employing civic knowledge, skills, and mindsets to promote global sustainability and contribute positively to a culturally diverse, democratic society.
• Reflective and Future Focused: by engaging in self-reflection to identify strengths and areas for growth, setting meaningful goals, using social awareness to maintain supportive relationships, and demonstrating responsible decision-making that prioritizes social, emotional, and mental well-being.

These six attributes are centered around Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education. A New York State high school graduate who is culturally responsive will build strong, respectful relationships, valuing diverse perspectives as essential to a rigorous, inclusive learning community. Concurrently, students who embody cultural responsiveness and academic readiness – demonstrating creativity, critical thinking, communication, reflection, and global awareness – will be prepared to learn, grow, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society. Ultimately, these graduates will be equipped with the interpersonal and intellectual skills needed to thrive in an interconnected, ever-changing world.

Graduation Measures

In 2019, the New York State Board of Regents and Education Department launched the Graduation Measures Initiative to explore what a New York State diploma should signify to ensure educational excellence and equity for all students. Building on the Regents’ and Department’s shared commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and with a foundation rooted strongly in the��Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework, the initiative was developed to: (1) create true equity in New York State’s public education systems, and (2) ensure that all New York students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in school and after they graduate. In November 2023, the Blue Ribbon Commission presented its��recommendations��for achieving these goals.

Additional information about the Graduation Measures initiative can be found on the��Department’s Graduation Measures website.