| Item | Beginning 1 | Developing 2 | Accomplished 3 | Exceptional 4 | Score |
Monument: a) design | Shows little originality; lacks impact; unclear type and style; does not meet all RFP guidelines | Good basic design appealing to viewers; mixes types and styles; does not meet all RFP guidelines | Good basic design appealing to viewers; clear type and style; meets all RFP guidelines | Original and creative design that powerfully impacts viewers; clear example of type and style; meets all RFP guidelines | |
Monument: b) message | No clear message about Underground Railroad apparent to viewers | Communicates mixed message about Underground Railroad | Good job of communicating simple message about Underground Railroad | Communicates clear, powerful message about Underground Railroad | |
Monument: c) materials choice | Materials selected conflict with design ideas | Selects standard materials to carryout design | Selected materials and design complement each other | Both design and monument message are enhanced by materials selected | |
| Drawings | Messy, incomplete drawings; no color used; do not show two views; do not show surrounding grounds | Drawings neat and complete; no color used; show two views of monument but do not show surrounding grounds | Drawings neat and clear; use color; show two views of monument plus surrounding grounds | Drawings colorful and attractive, present impressive and detailed views of monument and surrounding grounds | |
| Inscription | No inscription | Brief, simple inscription that includes names and dates; basic font | Inscription includes key quote or statement about Underground Railroad; stylish font | Powerful, inspiring inscription that captures the spirit of the Underground Railroad; font enhances words | |
| Written explanation | Provides little explanation about design choices and shows little understanding of Underground Railroad | Gives simple explanations for design choices and shows basic understanding of Underground Railroad | Clearly explains the group's thinking and reason for design choices and shows good understanding of Underground Railroad | Thoroughly explains the group's thinking and design choices and shows deep understanding and respect for the lessons of the Underground Railroad | |
| 3-D model | Model has little resemblance to drawings; messy and unattractive | Model resembles drawings; attractive | Model shows monument clearly; attractive and neat | Model is excellent replica of drawings; shows detail; neat and attractive; well-made with excellent use of materials | |
| Dedication speech | Provides little explanation of reason for monument; shows little understanding of Underground Railroad; uninspiring | Provides basic explanation of reason for monument; shows basic understanding of Underground Railroad; coherent | Offers solid reasons for monument; shows strong understanding of Underground Railroad; logical and positive | Inspiring and compelling; excellent use of quotes from others; provides insight into Underground Railroad; gives solid reasoning for building of monument | |
| Music selection | Music selected does not relate to Underground Railroad | Music selected relates to Underground Railroad | Music selected enhances mood and message of monument | Original music created; enhances mood and message of monument | |
| Press release | Poorly written; lacks details | Covers the basic facts | Covers the basic facts; well-written | Covers the basic facts in interesting way to attract media; well-written, excellent word choice | |
| Poem | Uses existing poem written by others | Short, simple, original poem; poem describes facts rather than thoughts and feelings about Underground Railroad | Well-written, original poem that is interpretive and expresses thoughts and feelings about Underground Railroad | Well-written original poem, highly interpretive, uses colorful words and images; includes strong metaphors; inspiring | |