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Vision of a Learner

Schools are preparing graduates for a future that requires them to not only have content knowledge, but also the transferable skills and dispositions necessary for success in a diverse and rapidly changing world. For students to think critically, work collaboratively, and learn deeply, these important attributes must be defined clearly by schools, and systems must be put in place to authentically asses and give feedback to students on their progress toward proficiency. To support this core transformative work, the NEASC Standards for Accreditation ask that schools develop a Vision of a Learner. 

We are pleased to provide assistance to schools and districts for developing and implementing their own Vision of a Learner through comprehensive workshops, coaching/cohorts, study groups, and online resources.

The vision of a learner embeds essential life skills into expectations r of ouschools. It’s not just content and academics. It’s about building transferable skills needed for our students to be successful in their future.
Erin Palonen, Principal, Griswold High School, CT

kids in red graduation gowns and caps

The Vision of a Learner concept may also be referred to as a “collective vision for student success,” “portrait of a graduate,” and other similar terms.

In 2025 NEASC moved from using "Vision of the Graduate" to "Vision of a Learner." Please note that resources you received from NEASC in the past may have the former title, but the content itself is still current.


Cohort Workshops and Coaching Sessions 2026-27

Starting in the fall, NEASC will facilitate collaborative cohort workshops combined with personalized, school-specific coaching throughout the 2026-27 school year that will help school communities take their vision of a learner from idea to action. The cohort will meet multiple times during the school year to share ideas, create action plans, and work together to make their goals a reality.
 
Working collaboratively, teams of educators and leaders will be able to practice and learn how to implement strategies that provide onramps to school-wide implementation. Each session will provide participants with the chance to practice the strategies and plan how to adapt them for success in their own school community.

Who should participate?

These workshops and coaching sessions are ideal for teams of educators, students, and leaders from schools/districts interested in more deeply implementing the vision of a learner. Each school/district team can register up to six participants.

Fees

$3750.00 for a team of up to six people from one school/district.  The fee covers attendance and materials for both workshops plus one coaching session (to be scheduled separately).

Register

Reserve your team's spot today!

Optional Image Button Link

Young student in red graduation cap and gown

 

Workshops

Dates:
October 22-23, 2026 
March 18-19, 2027 

Format:
In-person, 2-day sessions:
Thursday, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (breakfast and lunch included)

Location:
30 Realty Drive
Cheshire, CT 06410
(at the office of the Connecticut Association of Schools)

Coaching Sessions

Participating school teams will have access to one personalized coaching session which will provide an opportunity to share successes, identify problems of practice, and gain feedback on the next steps for implementation.

Format:
Virtual, 45 minutes
A dates/time convenient to both parties for the session will be scheduled between October 2026 and March 2027.


Examples and Experiences

Community Comments

What workshop participants are saying about a Vision of a Learner...

What it is...

  • Traits, attributes, transferable skills
  • Universal and unifying (district-wide)
  • Aspirational and action oriented
  • Community specific and culturally relevant
  • Accessible and inclusive
  • Aligned with SEL and other work
     

What it isn't...

  • Content-specific
  • Easy to measure/quantitative
  • A rubric or curriculum
  • Passive
  • Linear/finite
  • A poster on the wall
     

The impact...

  • Help a school community unify, define what is important, communicate these values consistently, and be aspirational.
  • Give students and teachers a more inclusive definition of success and a more positive relationship with failure.
  • Build self-guided individuals apt to find their passion and pathway into the future.
  • Take focus off of grades and instead focus on what it means to be a life-long learner and overall successful person.
  • Cultivate well-rounded, ethical leaders, nurturing global citizenship, resilience, and a positive impact.

Guide to Developing and Implementing a Vision of Learner

If you would like to request a PDF copy of the guide for your school, please send us an email and include the following information:

  • Your full name
  • Your school name and location
  • Your role at the school

Thank you.

Request a copy

For questions about content, contact:
Alyson Geary
Director for Accreditation and School Improvement
NEASC Commission on Public Schools
781-425-7736 | ageary@neasc.org

For help with workshops and other events contact:
Misha Larson, Events Manager
781-425-7734 | mlarson@neasc.org