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P21 Joins the Battelle for Kids Family
The Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21) began in 2002, including innovative businesses, organizations, and associations with this shared purpose:
Advocating and working on behalf of every child—without exception—in early learning, in school, and beyond school environments.
P21’s cornerstone work has been championing the 4Cs (Creativity, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Collaboration) and developing the
Framework for 21st Century Learning. This legacy has built a worldwide network of like-minded leaders across industries.
Together, with Battelle for Kids, P21 can directly reach and impact thousands of school districts, schools, early-learning organizations, state departments of education, education-related nonprofits, and other educational organizations.
We extend our warmest welcome to P21 as a member of our 21st century family.
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Transform the Whole System
Our current education system has been entrenched for decades. Improving it requires studying and transforming the whole picture, not just a piece here and a part there.
At Battelle for Kids, we help school districts do just that by collaborating with their team of administrators, board members, teachers, students, families, community members, area employers, and more to define and activate their Portraits of a Graduate, System, and Educator.
Learn more about transforming your district with these first steps of creating a new vision.
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A District’s Vision Driven by Diverse Local Voices
Creating a Portrait of a Graduate should accurately reflect the aspirations of the community and the needs of its graduates, with diverse perspectives representing the voices of many.
To gain valuable input and feedback from these many different groups, Indian Prairie School District (IL) assembled a Portrait Design Team of 39 diverse members to lead the creation of a Portrait that is true to their community.
Read more about how Indian Prairie benefited from the inclusion of diverse voices in the creation of its Portrait.
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Students Help Shape a District’s Vision
Otsego Local Schools (OH) serves as a great example of how students can be incorporated into the journey of developing a Portrait of a Graduate with their community. By inviting high school and middle school students to not only provide input, but also be active members of the Portrait Design Team, Otsego is developing a Portrait that more accurately reflects the needs of its most important stakeholder—its students.
Read specific examples of how you can incorporate students in important processes such as creating your Portrait of a Graduate.
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#PortraitofaGraduate in the News
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Battelle for Kids at NSBA Conference for Public Education Leaders
We will be attending the National School Board Association Conference for Public Education Leaders, March 30–April 1, in Philadelphia, PA. If you will be there, please stop and see us at booth #227. You’ll also want to participate in one of our sessions, listed below.
A Systems Approach to Implementing Portrait of a Graduate
March 30 | 1:30pm-2:45pm | Room 120A
Presenters:
Karen Garza, PhD, President & CEO, Battelle for Kids
Jamie Meade, Chief of Staff, Battelle for Kids
Using a Portrait of a Graduate to Transform Your District: A Leaders Workshop
March 30 | 3:45pm-5pm | Room 113B
Facilitators:
Karen Garza, PhD, President & CEO, Battelle for Kids
Ken Kay, CEO, EdLeader21, a Network of Battelle for Kids
Assessment for Learning: Bright Spots from Virginia
March 31 | 3:45pm-5pm | Room 112AB
Presenters:
Shannon King, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer, Battelle for Kids
Melissa Ponce, Program Director, EdLeader21, a Network of Battelle for Kids
David Sovine, PhD, Superintendent, Frederick County Public Schools (VA)
Shontya’ Washington, School Board, Frederick County Public Schools (VA)

The Battelle for Kids extended family is invited to take part in the #BFKReads2019 challenge. We hope you will join our employees, board members, school system partners, and more who will be tracking their reading (and listening) throughout the year. More details to come.
Three Events to Help You Explore, Collaborate, and Inspire
Engage with courageous, innovative education leaders who are making sure that we are preparing every student to be a lifelong learner and contributor in this rapidly changing, complex, wonderful world!
June 10 Pre-Conference
June 11–12 Conference
Columbus, Ohio
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2019 National Forum to Advance Rural Education and 111th NREA Convention and Research Symposium
Join us if you want to connect with national experts, leading researchers, K–12 and higher education practitioners, policymakers, and philanthropic leaders. You can engage with a diverse community and share your stories on 21st century leadership, practice, research, and policy in rural education.
October 24–26
Louisville, Kentucky
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Three days of collaborating and learning alongside other innovative educators for the advancement of 21st Century Learning in school districts across the country. This event is members only. To learn more about joining EdLeader21, please contact
Jill Mastroianni.
October 2-4
Houston, TX
