This page is somewhat of a random collection of information on Portrait of a Graduate as it is revisited 4 years from the time EWSD introduced it in Vermont.
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AASA and Battelle for Kids Announce Strategic Integration to Expand Future-Ready Learning Efforts for Public K-12 Students
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Home / News & Media / News
Share March 06, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AASA’s acquisition of Battelle for Kids’ strategic assets and staff ensures long-term sustainability and growth while maintaining the impact of the leading Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait to Practice® design process.
Alexandria, Va. – March 6, 2025 - AASA, The School Superintendents Association, announces today its acquisition of strategic assets from Battelle for Kids, a national, not-for-profit organization committed to empowering educators so that every child in every community has the practical and life skills they need to succeed in the real world. The transition will be effective July 1, 2025.
This integration positions AASA for long-term stability and growth, enabling it to expand its reach and deepen its impact. With increased scalability and broader implementation of Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait to Practice® it strengthens AASA’s ability to support educational leaders, enrich professional development opportunities, and foster strategic partnerships. It will also assist in providing high-quality public-school education supports to leaders and learners with student-centered, best in class education systems.
“Battelle for Kids and AASA share a common mission and serve a similar audience, both organizations are dedicated to transforming school systems for educators and students nationwide. That’s why I’m thrilled to expand and scale the impactful work Battelle for Kids has championed,” said Dr. David R. Schuler, Executive Director of AASA. “As a lifelong educator and former superintendent, I look forward to advancing this work even further—creating greater opportunities and pathways for every student, in every community.”
For more: https://www.aasa.org/news-media/news/2025/03/06/aasa-and-battelle-for-kids-announce-strategic-integration-to-expand-future-ready-learning-efforts-for-public-k-12-students
Share March 06, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AASA’s acquisition of Battelle for Kids’ strategic assets and staff ensures long-term sustainability and growth while maintaining the impact of the leading Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait to Practice® design process.
Alexandria, Va. – March 6, 2025 - AASA, The School Superintendents Association, announces today its acquisition of strategic assets from Battelle for Kids, a national, not-for-profit organization committed to empowering educators so that every child in every community has the practical and life skills they need to succeed in the real world. The transition will be effective July 1, 2025.
This integration positions AASA for long-term stability and growth, enabling it to expand its reach and deepen its impact. With increased scalability and broader implementation of Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait to Practice® it strengthens AASA’s ability to support educational leaders, enrich professional development opportunities, and foster strategic partnerships. It will also assist in providing high-quality public-school education supports to leaders and learners with student-centered, best in class education systems.
“Battelle for Kids and AASA share a common mission and serve a similar audience, both organizations are dedicated to transforming school systems for educators and students nationwide. That’s why I’m thrilled to expand and scale the impactful work Battelle for Kids has championed,” said Dr. David R. Schuler, Executive Director of AASA. “As a lifelong educator and former superintendent, I look forward to advancing this work even further—creating greater opportunities and pathways for every student, in every community.”
For more: https://www.aasa.org/news-media/news/2025/03/06/aasa-and-battelle-for-kids-announce-strategic-integration-to-expand-future-ready-learning-efforts-for-public-k-12-students
Battelle for Kids uses the Delphi Technique for PRE-Determined outcomes
https://healthyfamilies.substack.com/p/battelle-for-kids-uses-the-delphi
https://healthyfamilies.substack.com/p/battelle-for-kids-uses-the-delphi
From Chatbox
United Nations
https://www.ohchr.org/en/children/childrens-rights-and-2030-agenda-sustainable-development
Controversies
The United Nations’ agenda for children’s education, primarily driven through frameworks like the **Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)** and the **2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development** (particularly SDG 4: Quality Education), aims to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all children. However, certain aspects of this agenda have sparked controversy, with critics raising concerns about ideological overreach, cultural misalignment, and implementation issues. Below is an overview of the UN’s agenda for children’s education and the associated controversies, presented critically and concisely.
### UN’s Agenda for Children’s Education
1. **Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)**:
- The CRC (1989) establishes education as a fundamental right, emphasizing free primary education, accessible secondary and higher education, and curricula that develop children’s personalities, talents, and respect for human rights, cultures, and the environment.[](https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version)
- UNICEF promotes child-friendly versions of the CRC to educate children about their rights, supported by campaigns like the Smurfs initiative.[](https://www.unicef.org/)
2. **Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education)**:
- SDG 4 aims for universal primary and secondary education by 2030, equitable access to vocational training, and elimination of gender and wealth disparities. It emphasizes quality learning outcomes, safe school environments, and digital inclusion.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
- UNICEF focuses on equitable access for marginalized groups (e.g., girls, children with disabilities, ethnic minorities) and education in emergencies, working with partners like UNHCR and WFP.[](https://www.unicef.org/education)
3. **Global Initiatives**:
- Campaigns like the “World’s Largest Lesson” and “Go Goals” engage children in learning about the SDGs, promoting global citizenship and awareness of issues like poverty and climate change.[](https://www.unicef.org/)
- The UN partners with organizations like Theirworld to advocate for education access, especially post-COVID-19, which caused learning losses in four out of five countries studied.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
### Controversies Surrounding the Agenda
Critics, particularly from conservative and parental rights groups, have raised concerns about the UN’s education agenda, often citing ideological, cultural, or sovereignty issues. These controversies are not universally accepted and require critical examination, as some claims may exaggerate or misrepresent the UN’s intentions.
1. **Allegations of Ideological Indoctrination**:
- Some critics argue that UN education initiatives, such as those tied to the SDGs or the “Pact for the Future” (adopted in 2024), promote progressive ideologies under the guise of global citizenship. For example, posts on X and certain media outlets claim the UN seeks to “indoctrinate” children with values like climate activism, gender ideology, or global governance, which may conflict with traditional or local cultural norms.
- Specific concerns include curricula emphasizing topics like comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), which some groups view as age-inappropriate or undermining parental authority. However, UNICEF and UNESCO frame CSE as essential for health, safety, and gender equality, particularly in regions with high rates of child marriage or sexual violence.[](https://www.unicef.org/education)
2. **Cultural and Sovereignty Concerns**:
- Critics, especially in Western nations, argue that UN education programs encroach on national sovereignty by imposing universal standards that may not align with local values or educational priorities. For instance, the emphasis on “global citizenship” is seen by some as diluting national identity or religious values.
- In some countries, resistance arises from the perception that UN initiatives prioritize Western-centric human rights frameworks over local traditions, particularly regarding gender roles or family structures.
3. **Implementation and Accountability Issues**:
- Despite the UN’s ambitious goals, critics highlight practical failures:
- **Learning Gaps**: Approximately 300 million children are projected to lack basic literacy and numeracy skills by 2030, despite SDG 4 targets.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
- **Funding Shortfalls**: Low- and lower-middle-income countries face a $97 billion annual financing gap to meet education goals, raising questions about feasibility.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
- **Digital Divide**: The lack of internet access for many school-aged children (especially in developing nations) limits the effectiveness of digital education initiatives.[](https://www.unicef.org/education)
- Some argue that the UN’s focus on broad, universal goals diverts resources from practical, localized solutions.
4. **Parental Rights vs. Child Autonomy**:
- The CRC’s emphasis on children’s right to participation and self-expression (e.g., having their views considered in decisions) is controversial among groups who believe it undermines parental authority. Critics claim this could lead to children being encouraged to challenge family values or make decisions without parental guidance.
- For example, the right to education in a child’s own language or culture (CRC Article 30) can create tensions in regions where minority languages or cultures are politically sensitive.[](https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version)
5. **Misinformation and Polarized Narratives**:
- Posts on X and certain media outlets, like FreedomProject Media, amplify claims that the UN’s agenda is a deliberate effort to control education globally, often framing it as a threat to individual freedoms.
- These claims are often inconclusive or lack primary evidence, relying on selective interpretations of UN documents. Conversely, UN agencies like UNICEF emphasize that their programs are voluntary, country-led, and adaptable to local contexts.[](https://www.unicef.org/)
### Critical Analysis
- **Pro-UN Perspective**: The UN’s agenda is grounded in universal human rights principles, aiming to address systemic inequalities like poverty, gender discrimination, and conflict-related disruptions. It prioritizes vulnerable populations and has measurable impacts, such as increased primary school completion rates between 2015 and 2021.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
- **Critical Perspective**: While well-intentioned, the UN’s one-size-fits-all approach can overlook cultural nuances and practical barriers. Allegations of indoctrination, while often exaggerated, reflect genuine concerns about top-down global frameworks clashing with local values. The persistent gap in achieving education targets also raises questions about efficacy and accountability.
- **Balanced View**: The UN’s agenda addresses critical needs but must navigate diverse cultural and political landscapes. Transparency, local engagement, and flexibility are essential to mitigate controversies and ensure effective implementation.
### Sources
- UNICEF Education: https://www.unicef.org/education[](https://www.unicef.org/education)
- UN Sustainable Development (SDG 4): https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
- Child-Friendly CRC: https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention[](https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version)
- UNICEF Overview: https://www.unicef.org[](https://www.unicef.org/)
- UN Children’s Rights: https://www.un.org/en/children[](https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/children)
- X Posts on UN Education Agenda: General sentiment, not conclusive evidence.
### Next Steps
If you’re looking for specific details (e.g., a particular UN education program, regional controversies, or primary documents), let me know, and I can dig deeper or analyze specific claims. For pricing or subscription details related to UN programs (unlikely in this context), I’d redirect you to official UN or UNICEF websites, as I lack that information. For more on the CRC or SDGs, visit https://www.unicef.org or https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/.
Jenny Marie Hatch
Education Activist in Boulder Colorado
United Nations
https://www.ohchr.org/en/children/childrens-rights-and-2030-agenda-sustainable-development
Controversies
The United Nations’ agenda for children’s education, primarily driven through frameworks like the **Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)** and the **2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development** (particularly SDG 4: Quality Education), aims to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all children. However, certain aspects of this agenda have sparked controversy, with critics raising concerns about ideological overreach, cultural misalignment, and implementation issues. Below is an overview of the UN’s agenda for children’s education and the associated controversies, presented critically and concisely.
### UN’s Agenda for Children’s Education
1. **Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)**:
- The CRC (1989) establishes education as a fundamental right, emphasizing free primary education, accessible secondary and higher education, and curricula that develop children’s personalities, talents, and respect for human rights, cultures, and the environment.[](https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version)
- UNICEF promotes child-friendly versions of the CRC to educate children about their rights, supported by campaigns like the Smurfs initiative.[](https://www.unicef.org/)
2. **Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education)**:
- SDG 4 aims for universal primary and secondary education by 2030, equitable access to vocational training, and elimination of gender and wealth disparities. It emphasizes quality learning outcomes, safe school environments, and digital inclusion.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
- UNICEF focuses on equitable access for marginalized groups (e.g., girls, children with disabilities, ethnic minorities) and education in emergencies, working with partners like UNHCR and WFP.[](https://www.unicef.org/education)
3. **Global Initiatives**:
- Campaigns like the “World’s Largest Lesson” and “Go Goals” engage children in learning about the SDGs, promoting global citizenship and awareness of issues like poverty and climate change.[](https://www.unicef.org/)
- The UN partners with organizations like Theirworld to advocate for education access, especially post-COVID-19, which caused learning losses in four out of five countries studied.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
### Controversies Surrounding the Agenda
Critics, particularly from conservative and parental rights groups, have raised concerns about the UN’s education agenda, often citing ideological, cultural, or sovereignty issues. These controversies are not universally accepted and require critical examination, as some claims may exaggerate or misrepresent the UN’s intentions.
1. **Allegations of Ideological Indoctrination**:
- Some critics argue that UN education initiatives, such as those tied to the SDGs or the “Pact for the Future” (adopted in 2024), promote progressive ideologies under the guise of global citizenship. For example, posts on X and certain media outlets claim the UN seeks to “indoctrinate” children with values like climate activism, gender ideology, or global governance, which may conflict with traditional or local cultural norms.
- Specific concerns include curricula emphasizing topics like comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), which some groups view as age-inappropriate or undermining parental authority. However, UNICEF and UNESCO frame CSE as essential for health, safety, and gender equality, particularly in regions with high rates of child marriage or sexual violence.[](https://www.unicef.org/education)
2. **Cultural and Sovereignty Concerns**:
- Critics, especially in Western nations, argue that UN education programs encroach on national sovereignty by imposing universal standards that may not align with local values or educational priorities. For instance, the emphasis on “global citizenship” is seen by some as diluting national identity or religious values.
- In some countries, resistance arises from the perception that UN initiatives prioritize Western-centric human rights frameworks over local traditions, particularly regarding gender roles or family structures.
3. **Implementation and Accountability Issues**:
- Despite the UN’s ambitious goals, critics highlight practical failures:
- **Learning Gaps**: Approximately 300 million children are projected to lack basic literacy and numeracy skills by 2030, despite SDG 4 targets.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
- **Funding Shortfalls**: Low- and lower-middle-income countries face a $97 billion annual financing gap to meet education goals, raising questions about feasibility.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
- **Digital Divide**: The lack of internet access for many school-aged children (especially in developing nations) limits the effectiveness of digital education initiatives.[](https://www.unicef.org/education)
- Some argue that the UN’s focus on broad, universal goals diverts resources from practical, localized solutions.
4. **Parental Rights vs. Child Autonomy**:
- The CRC’s emphasis on children’s right to participation and self-expression (e.g., having their views considered in decisions) is controversial among groups who believe it undermines parental authority. Critics claim this could lead to children being encouraged to challenge family values or make decisions without parental guidance.
- For example, the right to education in a child’s own language or culture (CRC Article 30) can create tensions in regions where minority languages or cultures are politically sensitive.[](https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version)
5. **Misinformation and Polarized Narratives**:
- Posts on X and certain media outlets, like FreedomProject Media, amplify claims that the UN’s agenda is a deliberate effort to control education globally, often framing it as a threat to individual freedoms.
- These claims are often inconclusive or lack primary evidence, relying on selective interpretations of UN documents. Conversely, UN agencies like UNICEF emphasize that their programs are voluntary, country-led, and adaptable to local contexts.[](https://www.unicef.org/)
### Critical Analysis
- **Pro-UN Perspective**: The UN’s agenda is grounded in universal human rights principles, aiming to address systemic inequalities like poverty, gender discrimination, and conflict-related disruptions. It prioritizes vulnerable populations and has measurable impacts, such as increased primary school completion rates between 2015 and 2021.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
- **Critical Perspective**: While well-intentioned, the UN’s one-size-fits-all approach can overlook cultural nuances and practical barriers. Allegations of indoctrination, while often exaggerated, reflect genuine concerns about top-down global frameworks clashing with local values. The persistent gap in achieving education targets also raises questions about efficacy and accountability.
- **Balanced View**: The UN’s agenda addresses critical needs but must navigate diverse cultural and political landscapes. Transparency, local engagement, and flexibility are essential to mitigate controversies and ensure effective implementation.
### Sources
- UNICEF Education: https://www.unicef.org/education[](https://www.unicef.org/education)
- UN Sustainable Development (SDG 4): https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/)
- Child-Friendly CRC: https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention[](https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version)
- UNICEF Overview: https://www.unicef.org[](https://www.unicef.org/)
- UN Children’s Rights: https://www.un.org/en/children[](https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/children)
- X Posts on UN Education Agenda: General sentiment, not conclusive evidence.
### Next Steps
If you’re looking for specific details (e.g., a particular UN education program, regional controversies, or primary documents), let me know, and I can dig deeper or analyze specific claims. For pricing or subscription details related to UN programs (unlikely in this context), I’d redirect you to official UN or UNICEF websites, as I lack that information. For more on the CRC or SDGs, visit https://www.unicef.org or https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/.
Jenny Marie Hatch
Education Activist in Boulder Colorado