District unveils 'Cardinal's Journey' portrait of a graduate; committee recommends rubrics and visuals for implementation

A district stakeholder committee presented a proposed portrait-of-a-graduate framework — branded the “Cardinal’s Journey” — to the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Board of Education on March 3, recommending a two-part structure of mindsets and foundations, rubrics for classroom use and a set of visual assets to carry the work into schools.

The committee said the project was developed over five months with participation from students, parents, community leaders, educators and administrators, including facilitation and wordsmithing support by Bartlett Durand and design work led by Shannon (graphic lead). The model groups desired graduate outcomes into the “Cardinal mindset” (curiosity, community orientation, self-awareness and accountability) and “Cardinal foundations” (communication, collaboration, critical thinking and adaptability). For each competency, the committee created short rubrics, suggested student/teacher reflection questions and visual symbols intended for posters and district communications.

Why it matters: A formal portrait of a graduate is intended to provide a consistent language and expectations across grades and buildings. The committee told the board that the framework is designed to anchor curriculum renewal, middle- and high-school academic and career planning (ACP), report cards and student-led conferences. Committee members emphasized the goal of making the framework meaningful and long-lived rather than a one-time document.

Committee process and outputs: The committee reviewed exemplars from other districts, notably Mesa, Arizona, and iteratively narrowed a larger set of competencies into locally resonant language and visuals. The group developed two complementary rubrics (mindset and foundations), exemplar questions to involve families, and draft rubrics that could be used to align teacher practice, report cards and student reflection across levels. The presenters recommended piloting visuals in schools, embedding the Cardinal’s Journey into curriculum renewal, and exploring software for student portfolios beginning at sixth grade.

Board reaction and next steps: Board members praised the inclusiveness of the committee — particularly student involvement — and the quality of the visuals. Several trustees suggested adopting the committee’s community agreements as a board norm. Administration and the committee said they plan to present implementation steps next year including staff and family communications and curriculum alignment; they recommended piloting portfolio-style learner profiles beginning in sixth grade and using student-led conferences at multiple levels.

Selected quotes (attributed to meeting participants): - "We prioritized the key attributes and skills…we wanted to make these something that was personally and locally meaningful and significant," said the committee presenter. - "Some of us helped to create rubrics about expectations of how students, staff, and administrators would bring this work to life in the district," the presenter said.

Ending: Administration said the Cardinal’s Journey will be used during curriculum renewal and ACP planning, and that more detailed implementation timelines and materials will be brought to the board as schools prepare to adopt the visuals and rubrics.