– Vision of the Graduate –
The Cheshire Public Schools prepares students to become lifelong learners who can adapt to a rapidly changing society. We believe in the capacity of every student to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Through the continuous development of complex skills and knowledge, students will acquire the qualities and characteristics of successful and engaged learners. Graduates of the Cheshire Public Schools will be ready to positively and successfully influence our global society. These skills, knowledge, and characteristics are attained through the satisfactory completion of the content of each course, and in the context of applying these skills across disciplines and in real-world applications throughout every student’s educational experience. The skills, knowledge, and characteristics in the vision are described in the following ways:
- The Student as Thinker/Learner (Self): The Cheshire graduate uses a variety of complex reasoning skills to shape information into knowledge and knowledge into understanding. Background knowledge is applied to new learning, synthesizing information in the creation of new ideas. The graduate is an independent, reflective, and responsible learner, capable of self-direction, self-efficacy and self-motivation.
- The Student as Collaborator (Others): The Cheshire graduate actively participates as a member of a team in order to achieve a common goal. He or she effectively expresses ideas demonstrating respect for self and others while having the social and emotional awareness to recognize individual differences.
- The Student as Community Contributor (World): The Cheshire graduate is an active participant at the local and global level. The graduate demonstrates concern and respect for self, others, and property in order to make a positive impact on the community and assume responsible and ethical citizenship by taking positive action.
– Performance Standards –
Complex Thinker
The Cheshire Public Schools student uses a variety of complex reasoning skills and techniques from multiple disciplines to shape information into knowledge and knowledge into understanding.
Attributes:
A. Identifies, analyzes and solves authentic/complex problems, situations, questions, and issues
B. Explores a variety of critical and/or creative strategies to accomplish tasks
C. Applies content specific procedures and processes (formulas, equations, syntax, etc.) to solve problems
D. Assesses the relevance of information, synthesizes information and experiences from multiple sources
Creative Thinker
The Cheshire Public Schools student thinks creatively and produces innovative or original products demonstrating novel approaches to thinking and learning.
Attributes:
A. Generates innovative or original ideas and applies them in practice
B. Approaches situations from different perspectives while challenging assumptions
C. Develops an open and growth-oriented mindset: students demonstrate an ability to learn from setbacks, persevere through challenges and take risks
D. Demonstrates flexibility and openness to divergent ideas and different approaches, understanding the connections between different concepts across all disciplines
Self-Directed Learner
The Cheshire Public Schools student is an independent and reflective lifelong learner.
Attributes:
A. Demonstrates self-advocacy, self-awareness, and assessment of skills and strengths
B. Effectively allocates time to accomplish learning and/or personal goals
C. Seeks and uses resources to promote continued learning
D. Prepared to fully and actively participate in all learning experiences
Effective Communicator
The Cheshire Public Schools student clearly expresses their ideas in an effective and organized manner.
Attributes:
A. Generates ideas and articulates them clearly and in a well-organized fashion
demonstrating thoughtful and precise use of language and personal voice
B. Considers the perspectives of diverse audiences in all communication
C. Communicates for a variety of purposes including information, persuasion, instruction, and motivation
D. Communicates using various modes of expression
Collaborative/Cooperative Learner
The Cheshire Public Schools student engages with members of a group in order to achieve a common goal.
Attributes:
A. Monitors and adjusts own behaviors in order to equitably contribute to group success
B. Works interdependently toward the achievement of group goals by fulfilling individual roles within the group
C. Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills and applies them respectfully when challenging and responding to the ideas of others
D. Practices empathy for the perspective of others and the ability to compromise to achieve a common goal
Community Contributor
The Cheshire Public Schools student actively participates in the school, town, and global community while demonstrating concern and respect for self, others, and property.
Attributes:
A. Shows awareness of social expectations by exhibiting appropriate behavior
B. Demonstrates responsible decision-making and constructive choices by showing respect, civility, and a consideration of the welfare of self, others, and property
C. Exhibits respect for self and others while recognizing individual differences
D. Assumes responsible citizenship by taking positive action in the school, town and global community
