Across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a groundswell of change has taken root. For many districts, this transformation began with the creation of locally defined Portraits of a Learner—community-driven visions of the skills and dispositions learners need to thrive. Building on that foundation, many school districts now offer system level performance assessments, often called Defenses of Learning, at key transition points like 5th, 8th, and 12th grade—moments where learners reflect on their growth and present evidence of readiness for what’s next.  These capstone moments are powerful. They shine a bright light on students’ thinking, creativity, and growth. But as more districts engage with this work, a critical question is surfacing: What if we didn’t wait until the end of the learning journey to offer students that kind of meaningful reflection and voice? Performance assessments are designed to measure not just content mastery, but students’ ability to transfer their learning to meaningful, real-world tasks that demonstrate growth in competencies like communication and critical thinking—skills we value in our Portraits of a Learner.

Not So Secret Agency: How Students Make Mastery Their Mission

Cultivating Connection: Teaching With Joy, Learning With Purpose

Experience First, Formalize Later: Math Outside the Fluorescent Box

Bridges to Belonging: A School-wide Culture of Authentic Mentorship

It's Like Riding a Bike: A Classroom Culture of Personal Connections

Playing Roles, Rolling Dice: Dungeons, Dragons, Academic Standards and Durable Skills Combine for Authentic Adventures in Learning

Pathways to Purpose: Enlivening the Grad Profile Through Internships, Feedback, and Reflection