Portraits in progress
What we’re learning about future-ready skills assessment
Across the country, momentum is building around Portrait of a Graduate frameworks, future-ready skills, and student-centered learning. States and districts are increasingly aligning their educational visions with these priorities, recognizing that success in today’s world requires more than academic knowledge—it demands skills like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Recent moves by states such as New York and Massachusetts who adopted Profiles of a Graduate within the past few months—along with a growing interest in ESSA waivers that grant greater flexibility in state-level assessment and accountability systems—reflect a broader policy shift toward more holistic, learner-centered approaches.
As Portraits of a Graduate takes root, the field is turning its attention to assessment, aiming to measure students’ future-ready skills. Assessment is no longer viewed solely as a tool for accountability, but as a powerful lever for change. When thoughtfully designed, assessment systems can reinforce instructional coherence, provide actionable insights for educators and learners, and support the continuous development of students’ future-ready skills. They can also serve as a bridge between vision and practice, helping districts bring their Portraits of a Graduate to life.
Education leaders at the classroom, district, and state levels are seeking guidance on how to design and implement assessment systems that measure future-ready skills and promote student-centered learning. There is a clear need for practical, field-informed insights into what’s working, what’s emerging, and what’s possible.
In response, Pearson and Digital Promise partnered to engage school districts around the country to learn how they’re approaching assessment of their Portraits of a Graduate. Our new report, Portraits in Progress: Emerging Future-Ready Skills Assessment Strategies, synthesizes our findings, surfaces insights, and shares lessons learned along the way. Through this work, we aim to offer recommendations that can guide school, district, and state leaders, policymakers, and researchers. At its core, the report emphasizes the importance of growth-oriented, student-centered assessment practices that not only measure meaningful outcomes but also serve as catalysts for deeper learning and the realization of Portrait of a Graduate visions.
Looking forward
Our report includes recommendations for district leaders who are in the process of designing a system of assessment of future-ready skills as well as for the K12 education field overall. All recommendations are based on insights from the districts we engaged with as part of this study.
District recommendations
- Design assessment systems that are both purposeful and aligned with their instructional vision. This begins with clearly articulating the goals of assessment—what claims districts want to be able to make about student learning or program implementation, what data would support those claims, and what measures can produce that data. Similarly, it’s crucial that students and educators understand what and how they develop skills. Defining skill expectations through tools like rubrics, learning progressions, and student-friendly “I can” statements help make future-ready skills development tangible for both educators and learners.
- Prioritize feedback, reflection, and self-evaluation, empowering students to take ownership of their learning journeys. Well-designed assessments can shift the emphasis from reaching a static level of proficiency to celebrating growth. When students understand where they are in their development and what comes next, they are more likely to engage deeply and meaningfully with their learning.
- Establish broad-based ownership. Districts that involve educators, students, families, and community members in the design and implementation process are more likely to create systems that are trusted, sustainable, and impactful. For example, Shelby County Public Schools has ensured that community members, staff, students, and caregivers have been involved in every step of their Portrait of a Graduate Defenses of Learning. Community members and caregivers are invited to the defenses, and staff and students participate in focus groups each year to provide feedback about the process and rubrics used in the Defenses of Learning.
K12 education field recommendations
To help establish successful systems of assessment, the field should:
- Invest in research and development to create valid and reliable tools for assessing future-ready skills. These tools must be scalable and adaptable to diverse contexts.
- Align systems across K–12, postsecondary education, and the workforce so that the skills students develop are recognized and valued beyond high school. For instance, Ephrata Area Schools in Pennsylvania, one of the districts that participated in our study, partnered with local businesses to ensure that each graduate who earns Ephrata’s Life Ready Graduate certificate is granted an interview for employment opportunities.
- Foster collaborative communities of practice. When district leaders have opportunities to share strategies, challenges, and successes, the field as a whole benefits.
The shift toward Portrait of a Graduate frameworks represent more than a policy trend; it’s a fundamental reimagining of what success looks like for students. As districts across the country work to bring these visions to life, assessment plays a critical role in bridging aspirations and action. By designing systems that prioritize growth, provide meaningful feedback, and involve all stakeholders, we can create learning environments where every student develops the skills they need to thrive now and in the future.
The work ahead requires collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to learn from one another. Our report, Portraits in Progress: Emerging Future-Ready Skills Assessment Strategies, offers invaluable insights for districts, states, and policymakers engaged in this work. Together, we can build assessment systems that don’t just measure learning; they inspire learning.
Ready to learn more? Download the full report to discover practical strategies and insights from districts leading the way in future-ready skills assessment.