MSAD 51 committee presents "Profile of a Learner" describing four districtwide learner traits; board to review before formal approval

A stakeholder committee presented MSAD 51’s draft Profile of a Learner on May 22, describing four aspirational traits the district expects students to develop and asking the board to review the draft before it returns for formal approval.

The Profile of a Learner frames district expectations for students at elementary, middle and high school levels. The committee — which included parents, teachers, building administrators, student board representatives and a district consultant — identified four traits: effective communicator, lifelong learner, creative problem solver and global citizen. For each trait the document pairs observable indicators with a single, illustrative example for each school level.

Why it matters: The profile is intended to be a public-facing anchor for curriculum and instructional decisions. Committee members told the board the document is deliberately compact to allow flexibility as school programs evolve, and that it can support future strategic planning and the district’s new school configuration.

How the profile was developed: The committee convened visioning meetings beginning in fall 2023 with consultant Lawrence Alexander. Draft traits and indicators were circulated to staff and stakeholders for feedback; teachers provided classroom-level examples that became the document’s examples. The committee and district curriculum committee reviewed the draft before tonight’s presentation.

Board discussion and next steps: Board members asked how the profile will be measured and how the district might follow graduates post‑graduation. Mari, the presenter, said districts with robust alumni associations are more successful at long-term tracking and acknowledged comprehensive follow-up would be challenging. Board members recommended a phased rollout that includes classroom‑level activities (for example, advisories at the middle and high levels) and parent outreach. Mari said the profile will be posted on the district website and the board will be asked for formal approval at a later meeting.

Committee membership: The presenter listed many committee members by name and role — including teacher representatives, principals, parents and student board representatives — and said the group prioritized flexible, developmentally appropriate examples so schools can adapt classroom work over time.

What to watch for: The district intends to embed the profile into curriculum materials and to use it as a touch point when the strategic plan is updated; the board will receive the document for formal action at a subsequent meeting.