photo by: Dylan Lysen/Lawrence Journal-World

Lawrence Public Schools district offices pictured in April 2021.

The Lawrence school district is asking the public to weigh in on the characteristics that make an ideal high school graduate.

Two input sessions for “Portrait of a Graduate” are slated for this week. One session will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive. A second session is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana St.

The event is designed to produce robust discussion on the skills and experiences necessary for high school students to thrive in college, careers and post-high school life, district spokesperson Julie Boyle told the Journal-World. She is hopeful that there is a diverse representation of “students, staff, parents, business people, and community members” will attend the sessions.

The district partnered with the University of Kansas’ Achievement and Assessment Institute for the sessions. Brad Neuenswander, a former Kansas State Department of Education deputy commissioner who is now affiliated with the institute, will facilitate the sessions. The format will include a short presentation and small-group discussions, as well as individual input.

Neuenswander will compile a report from the sessions that will be presented at a Lawrence school board meeting in November or December. The report will tie in with new course requests, as well as dialogue centered on new graduation requirements.

The session is related to the district’s five-year strategic plan, which expires after this year.

“Part of expanding on that plan is to go through this process, which KSDE and other districts have done,” Boyle said.