Fayetteville-Manlius Schools Introduce K-12 Portrait of a Learner

Last updated: April 19, 2026

Fayetteville-Manlius Schools in New York have introduced a K-12 Portrait of a Learner, a new approach to education that focuses on developing the whole child. This initiative is part of the district’s efforts to prepare students for the expected graduation changes that will replace Regents exams by 2029-2030.

TL;DR

Fayetteville-Manlius Schools introduce K-12 Portrait of a Learner.
Focus on developing the whole child.
Alignment with graduation changes.
Focus on 21st-century skills.

What is the Portrait of a Learner?

The Portrait of a Learner is a framework that outlines the skills and competencies that students need to succeed in the 21st century. It includes areas such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, as well as social-emotional learning and character development.

Fayetteville-Manlius Schools introduce K-12 Portrait of a Learner, focusing on developing the whole child. #education # PortraitOfALearner Tweet Now Follow Learning Success

Why is this change necessary?

The current education system has been criticized for being too narrow and focused on standardized testing. The Portrait of a Learner approach aims to provide a more holistic education that prepares students for success in all areas of life.

Author Quote "

The Portrait of a Learner is a game-changer for our district, as it allows us to focus on developing the whole child and providing a more well-rounded education.

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How will this affect students and teachers?

The introduction of the Portrait of a Learner will require significant changes in the way teachers teach and students learn. Teachers will need to adapt their instructional methods to focus on developing the whole child, while students will need to be prepared to take a more active role in their learning.

Key Takeaways:

Introduction of K-12 Portrait of a Learner: A new approach to education that focuses on developing the whole child.
Alignment with graduation changes: The Portrait of a Learner is part of the district's efforts to prepare students for the expected graduation changes that will replace Regents exams by 2029-2030.
Focus on 21st-century skills: The framework includes areas such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, as well as social-emotional learning and character development.

What’s next for Fayetteville-Manlius Schools?

The district will continue to work on implementing the Portrait of a Learner framework, with a focus on providing professional development for teachers and support for students. The goal is to create a more well-rounded education that prepares students for success in all areas of life.

The introduction of the Portrait of a Learner is a significant step towards creating a more well-rounded education that prepares students for success in all areas of life. By focusing on developing the whole child, Fayetteville-Manlius Schools are providing students with the skills and competencies they need to thrive in the 21st century. Learn more about how you can support your child’s education.