In 2022 North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction began working on the Portrait of a Graduate. The statewide Portrait identifies seven competencies that students should possess upon graduation from high school to help them thrive in the 21st century.

“There was and remains a steady need for students to develop skills outside of what we consider traditional technical skills and academic knowledge. Data also shows us that durable skills, like the ones included in the Portrait, are in high demand among employers and beneficial to students regardless of the path they choose – be it college, career, or military. This newly unveiled statewide Portrait is an important way we can allow, encourage and invite schools to begin emphasizing durable skills in the classroom, and is a tool that will help students develop these competencies during their time in North Carolina public schools.” 

Catherine Truitt, State Superintendent of Public Instruction  

   NC Department of Public Instruction

Portrait of a graduate explanation image

Learn more about these competencies

Adaptability

North Carolina Graduates…

• Demonstrate agility in thought processes and problem-solving.

• Accept feedback, praise, setbacks, and criticism.

• Balance diverse viewpoints and beliefs to reach workable solutions.

• Demonstrate flexibility when navigating challenging situations.

• Exhibit steadfastness despite difficulty, opposition, and/or failure.

Collaboration

North Carolina Graduates…

• Contribute and respond to diverse perspectives to achieve a common goal.

• Leverage strengths to resolve conflict and foster teamwork.

• Interact respectfully with others in digital and in-person interactions.

• Embrace a variety of roles in a group as a participant and a leader.

Communication

North Carolina Graduates…

• Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written, and nonverbal communication skills.

• Listen to decipher meaning, values, attitudes, and intentions.

• Ask questions and synthesize messages to seek understanding.

• Engage in productive discourse to resolve disagreements.

• Craft communication for a range of purposes and audiences.

• Use storytelling and public speaking to express ideas and connect with others.

Critical Thinking

North Carolina Graduates…

• Analyze, assess, and reconstruct personal thought processes.

• Apply thinking that is clear, rational, and evidence-based.

• Evaluate and prioritize solutions to difficult or complex problems.

• Employ creative improvements to systems, processes, and organizations.

Empathy

North Carolina Graduates…

• Demonstrate understanding, sensitivity, concern, and respect.

• Share in others’ feelings, opinions, and experiences through personal and digital connections.

• Value and embrace diverse cultures and unique perspectives.

• Foster belonging and trust through mutual respect and dialogue.

Learner's Mindset

North Carolina Graduates…

• Possess an ongoing desire to learn, unlearn, and relearn.

• Embrace curiosity to experience new ideas, demonstrate growth, and persist through challenges.

• Translate knowledge to provide different contexts to drive change and innovation.

• Develop positive attitudes and beliefs about learning.

Personal Responsibility

North Carolina Graduates…

• Adhere to a set of core values that are evident in choices and actions.

• Earn trust and respect through honest, principled behaviors. • Honor commitments.

• Recognize how personal decisions and actions have impacts beyond self.

• Take ownership of decisions and persevere through challenges.

• Demonstrate self-control and composure.

Visit Portrait of a Graduate to learn more.