Imagine Learning

Tempe, Arizona – March 4, 2025 – Districts and schools across the country are embracing the Portrait of a Graduate framework to redefine student success in the classroom and beyond. But turning that vision into daily classroom practice remains a challenge. Imagine Learning, the leading provider of digital-first PreK–12 solutions, and Battelle for Kids, a national nonprofit dedicated to transforming education, today released a new white paper to help schools move from aspiration to action.

Portrait of a Graduate, Deeper Learning, and High-Quality Instructional Materials: Bridging Vision and Practice is the latest research collaboration between the two organizations. They first partnered in 2024 to bridge the gap between educational vision and classroom implementation. Battelle for Kids’ leadership in developing and supporting state and district Portrait of a Graduate frameworks joins Imagine Learning’s expertise in delivering high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and other research-backed curricula. Together, they offer schools a clear, actionable path to future-ready teaching and learning.

The white paper highlights how pairing deeper learning strategies with research-backed, HQIM helps schools create engaging, skill-driven classrooms.

“Educators need more than a vision — they need practical solutions that make that vision real,” said Sari Factor, Vice Chairman & Chief Strategy Officer for Imagine Learning. “Our high-quality instructional materials integrate deep learning strategies to help teachers build meaningful learning environments where students thrive.”

Why This Work Matters Now

The skills students need to succeed in the workforce are changing rapidly. As artificial intelligence and automation reshape industries, skills like analytical thinking, adaptability, and digital literacy have become essential for the future workforce (World Economic Forum, 2023). Yet, many schools struggle to align learning experiences with these evolving demands.

A strong Portrait of a Graduate framework defines the durable skills students need for success, but many districts lack the tools to integrate those competencies into daily learning.

“The Portrait of a Graduate isn’t just an aspirational framework—it’s a catalyst to spark transformation,” said Mike Duncan, President & CEO of Battelle for Kids. “But that change only happens when schools embed deeper learning into daily instruction.”

Key Strategies for Schools

The white paper provides actionable strategies for schools and districts, including:

Integrating future-ready skills into instruction: practical ways to align Portrait of a Graduate competencies with daily classroom learning.
The role of high-quality curriculum: how HQIM drives deeper learning, engagement, and skill development.
Lessons from district success stories: illustrations showing how schools are making future-ready learning a reality.

Future-ready learning is a shift in how schools prepare students for what’s next. With the right tools, districts can move beyond theory and create classrooms where deeper learning happens every day.

Read the full white paper here.

About Imagine Learning

Every classroom, every student is bursting with potential. That’s why we pursue relentless innovation at the intersection of technology, people, and curricula. Imagine Learning creates K–12 digital-first solutions, working alongside teachers to support 18 million students in over half of the districts nationwide. Our core portfolio includes Imagine IM, Imagine Learning EL Education, Traverse, and Twig^® Science. Our robust supplemental and intervention suite equips learners with personalized instruction for English and Spanish literacy, math, coding, and more. Imagine Edgenuity^® and Imagine EdgeEX^® offer innovative courseware solutions, complemented by Imagine School Services’ Certified Teachers. Imagine Learning. Empower potential. Learn more: imaginelearning.com.

About Battelle for Kids

Battelle for Kids (BFK) is a national, not-for-profit organization helping to empower educators so that every student has hope, resilience, and the knowledge and skills to be future-ready. BFK has helped hundreds of school districts and state agencies design, launch, and bring their shared community visions — the Portrait of a Graduate — to life, impacting the learning experiences of millions of students nationwide. For more information, visit bfk.org.