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Wyoming State Board of Education

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Profile of a Graduate

 

A blue map pin with a silhouette of Wyoming inside, surrounded by words like 'knowledge', 'skills', and 'mindsets'. The text 'Wyoming Profile of a Graduate' is below.

 

The world is more connected than ever before in history. Robots and artificial intelligence are so commonplace that we aren’t even aware sometimes if it is a human or a chatbot answering our questions. What does the future hold? Do our values of independence and hard work still have an essential place in our world?  What does it mean to be a Wyoming high school graduate a quarter of the way through the 21st century?  

The Wyoming State Board of Education (SBE) wrestled with these questions as it worked to create a vision for Wyoming education. To meet the board’s responsibility of setting graduation standards, the SBE worked to define what it means to be a graduate by creating the Wyoming Profile of a Graduate; an ideal vision of a Wyoming graduate that can guide the board and the state in matters of education policy. 

The SBE realized these questions are too important and too big to arrive at a clear profile on its own, so it turned toward all interested citizens of the state to contribute to the conversation.  The board worked in collaboration with Wyoming residents, school districts, parents, students, teachers, communities, business leaders, technical schools, and higher education to determine the ideals of our education system.  

“When reviewing the history of the state board dating back to 1919, the year the Wyoming legislature created the board, two elements stood out: The board was to 1) establish policies for guiding quality Wyoming K-12 education, and 2) engage Wyoming citizens to gain perspective and insight when setting direction for learning. The Profile of a Graduate emerged from both of these duties. It reflects what Wyoming stakeholders see as important for student success in the future, and it will act as a touchstone for educators to determine what experiences are equipping students to thrive after graduation.”

– Dr. Mark Mathern, Chairman, Wyoming State Board of Education

  • LEARN

    A Wyoming Graduate will...

    • Demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills in academic content areas, including technical reading and writing. 
    • Transfer knowledge and skills across content areas.
    • Apply knowledge and skills to life’s challenges and opportunities using problem solving and critical thinking.
    • Possess strong verbal and written communication skills appropriate to various audiences, purposes, and formats.
    • Have the ability to identify and access credible sources.
    • Plan and manage multi-step projects.
       

    To accomplish this, students must:

    • Possess a mindset where failure is recognized as an opportunity for growth.
    • Hold a curiosity that leads to discovery and action.
    • Have an internal sense of initiative, responsibility, and accountability.

  • WORK

    A Wyoming Graduate will...

    • Explore career options and work environments to achieve their goals.
    • Develop workplace communication skills, including giving and receiving constructive criticism, asking for help, and maintaining professionalism.
    • Develop leadership skills, including the identification of personal strengths and weaknesses.
    • Collaborate and work with various people to accomplish a variety of tasks.
    • Successfully complete employment applications and mock interviews.
    • Have knowledge of entry wages and benefits and career advancement.
       

    To accomplish this, students must:

    • Demonstrate persistence, resilience, initiative, and adaptability.
    • Have strong interpersonal relationships.
    • Be able to access workplace resources.
    • Produce a quality work product that meets, or exceeds, expectations.

  • CONTRIBUTE

    A Wyoming Graduate will...

    • Understand how our governing structures operate and how to be involved in the process.
    • Know how to access community resources, both private and public.
    • Engage appropriately in civil discourse across a variety of cultures and beliefs.
    • Discern the credibility of information and content from a variety of sources to become a knowledgeable and engaged citizen.
    • Seek opportunities to contribute to their school community, the greater community, state, and nation.
    • Understand both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
       

    To accomplish this, students must:

    • Collaborate with others.
    • Be open to service and volunteerism.
    • Be respectful of the perspectives and rights of other individuals and cultures.

  • THRIVE

    A Wyoming Graduate will...

    • Demonstrate basic living skills.
    • Possess skills in personal finance including understanding of compensation, cost of living, budgets, credit/loans, taxes, housing costs, savings, insurance.
    • Possess strategies for selfcare, including physical and mental well-being, and know-how to access medical/mental health services.
    • Build and maintain healthy relationships.
       

    To accomplish this, students must:

    • Be dedicated to personal growth.
    • Have self-awareness and be an advocate for themselves.
    • Possess the ability to identify and solve life problems.
    • Think from different perspectives - independently, globally, collaboratively, and critically.
    • Be able to set goals, develop a plan, work toward it, and refine personal goals as necessary.

Seven Key Competencies derived from the Wyoming Profile of a Graduate

  • Master, apply, and transfer foundational knowledge and skills.
  • Think critically and creatively to solve complex problems.
  • Communicate effectively to various purposes, audiences, and mediums.
  • Identify and use credible sources of information to build knowledge and make decisions.

 

  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
  • Cultivate curiosity, self-awareness, resilience, and a growth mindset.
  • Practice effective work habits, including organization, time management, attention to detail, and follow through.

Click to learn more about the Profile of a Graduate from

Megan Degenfelder, Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Student Presentations - Implementing the Profile of a Graduate

  • Evanston High School worked with its stakeholders to create a Profile of a Graduate in 2008. Since that time, seniors at Evanston High School have participated in creating a Senior Project as part of the requirements for graduation. Students may select a project based on an interest or career field. Students complete projects outside of the classroom and in partnership with community partners. Over the years, students have chosen a variety of creative topics for their senior projects. Evanston HS Senior Capstone graduation requirements
     
  • Recapturing the Senior Year – This senior capstone course is an approach to bring meaning back to the senior year for students at Wind River High School. The course is aligned to state English Language Arts standards and provides credit for a student’s fourth year of required English. Students research a current problem of practice within their career field of interest. Students conduct interviews with primary sources, participate in a career internship, and attend the Voices from the Field conference. The experience culminates with a presentation and defense of the students’ intensive studies in their career field. Wind River High School Senior English Capstone Course.
     
  • Next Level Internships at Sheridan High School are capstone experiences for senior students that involve further study in the field or career path where the student has a career interest. This program connects senior students with workplace experience and a mentor in the Sheridan community with the ultimate goal of helping students see the relevance and value of their high school education beyond school walls in a real-world setting. Students have a two- period block set up during the school day to attend the internship. Goals are set cooperatively by the student, mentor and Next Level coordinator to maximize this learning experience. In order to participate, students must complete an application, supply two letters of recommendation, and a high school transcript. In some situations, the student will be required to interview with a potential mentor. Next Level Internship Program – Sheridan.

 

Download a copy of the Profile of a Graduate graphic here

Resources and Supporting Documents

 

 

 For more information, contact SBE Coordinator Dr. Diana Clapp, at diana.clapp@wyo.gov