Graduate Profile Case Study:
Madera Unified
The Challenge
In 2017, Theron helped Madera Unified clarify their college and career readiness approach by developing a Graduate Profile through deep engagement of parents, students, staff, employer partners, and recent alumni.
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With the new profile in hand, the district next sought to make it a reality for its students. How could the district ensure that all students graduated able to think, communicate, collaborate, adapt, produce, and contribute?
The Solution
To operationalize the Madera Graduate Profile, Theron guided a decade-long strategic design and change-management journey. This included:
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Providing ongoing technical assistance to district leaders
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Developing an implementation roadmap with tangible annual benchmarks
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Co-creating tools such as rubrics, reflection guides, and training materials
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Leading quarterly leadership team strategy sessions
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Training district academic coaches to deliver teacher workshops on project-based learning
One key part of the work was developing a series of performance tasks that culminate in a Senior Capstone consisting of a digital portfolio and a formal oral presentation.
The Result
Today, Madera is one of the few districts in the nation where all seniors annually defend their learner profile skills through public demonstrations of mastery. Each spring, 1,400+ seniors deliver showcase presentations, judged by panels of district staff and community partners, that demonstrate their mastery of Madera's Graduate Profile skills.
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Speaking of the transformation, Superintendent Todd Lile notes that "Initially, the idea of a graduate profile seemed not only foreign to our culture but alien to our purpose. Today it is our North Star and a point of incredible community pride."
Client Partners
"Since the fall of 2000, I've admired Theron's intelligence, integrity, and grace. Few people can so successfully navigate a room full of leaders with different ideas to craft a consensus that feels authentically achieved."
Todd Lile, Superintendent
Madera Unified School District
"Working with Theron over the past few years on our Graduate Profile and CTE initiatives has been transformative. He's a collaborative partner who understands the complexities of district-level work and provides the specific, actionable guidance we need to move the needle. I highly recommend him to any district leader looking for a true partner."
Lilibeth Mora, College and Career Program Manager
Vallejo City Unified School District
