Graduation Project

1
Graduation Project
General Overview
2
Outline

• Four Parts
• Project Rubrics
• Student Support
• Mentoring Guidelines
• Graduation Project Website

3
Four Parts

• Research Paper
• Product
• Portfolio
• Presentation

4
Step One Topic Selection

• Junior Year/English III
• 2008-2009
• English teachers and Faculty Advisors instruct
  and guide students on proper topic/product
  selection
• Letter of Intent will briefly describe
• Topic of research
• Reason topic was chosen
• Methods that will be used to research topic
• Current level of expertise on topic
• Learning stretch
• Product being created
• Understanding of plagiarism
• Submitted to GP Advisory Committee
• Approve, Approve Pending or Decline
• Return to all students
• Resubmission of letter to Advisory Committee

5
Step Two Research Paper
2009 -2010 School Year

• English IV semester Senior Year
• Proper MLA format
• 5-8 pages
• 5 sources Interview must be primary resource
• Approximately a 6-7 week time frame from
  beginning to end
• Teacher advisor to review draft and final copies
• Check for plagiarism (FAIL)

6
Step Three Product
2009 -2010 School Year

• Physical extension of research paper, related to
  some aspect of the research topic
• Hands-on way to engage in their topic
• Demonstrates learning and mastery of the topic
• Spend 15 hours producing product
• Verify time spent through product logs, journals,
  and photos
• Minimum of 12 contact hours with a community
  mentor (f2f and/or virtual)
• Periodic meetings with teacher advisor
• Present product on presentation night

7
Step Four Portfolio
2009 -2010 School Year

• Combination of all records and materials related
  to all aspects of Graduation Project
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Required Forms
• Research Paper
• Mentor/Teacher Documentation
• Journals
• Product Logs
• Resume and Cover Letter
• Mentor Thank You Letter
• Photographs

8
Step Five Presentation
2009 -2010 School Year

• 6-8 minutes
• 5 minute question/answer session
• Panel of judges from school and community
• Evaluated on preparedness, ability to communicate
  and think on their feet, and overall quality of
  research project
• Judges will become familiar with the project
  through the portfolio and visual aids
• Proper attire is required

9
Project Rubrics
10
Project Evaluation

• Satisfactory - Pass
• Performs all components at a consistent level and
  demonstrates acceptable proficiency

• Exemplary - Pass
• Performs all components at a superior level
• Exceeds expectations in every way

• Developing/Emerging - Fail
• Does not show sufficient proficiency in all
  components and have not achieved adequate
  proficiency

• Resubmission Necessary - Fail
• Does not achieve proficiency in all components
  and have not met the minimum standards for
  completion

11
Student Support

• GP Coordinator
• Faculty Advisor
• English Teacher
• GP Advisory Committee
• Community Mentor
• Parents
• Chatham Together

12
Graduation Project Coordinator

• Serve as chairperson of Advisory Committee
• Serve on county GP committee
• Prepare faculty to advise students
• Establish a timeline of events
• Promote and market the project
• Attend district level meetings
• Secure Judges for presentation night
• Serve as member of Appeals Committee

13
Faculty Advisor

• Provide support throughout entire Graduation
  Project process
• All certified staff
• Advise no more than four students during the
  school year
• Mandatory meetings held during project process
• Check reflection log progress and determine when
  advisee has met requirement (6-10 logs)
• Review rough draft and final research paper
  before submission
• Check product progress
• Call mentor for product progress
• Assess Product
• Check portfolio for completeness and accuracy
• Assess Portfolio
• Allow advisee to practice presentation

14
Graduation Project Advisory Committee

• Group of faculty members at high school level
• All departments represented
• Administration, Counselor, GP Coordinators
• Approve letters of intent
• Serve as appeals committee
• Execute presentation night
• Develop Graduation Project improvements
• Community Relations

15
Mentor Role

• Represent a living expert on the topic
• Provide exposure to topic
• Provide guidance, assistance, resources,
  encouragement, and support
• Share stories and life experiences
• Plan contact if necessary
• Act as a role model
• Share alternative ways of completing tasks
• Provide feedback on the progress of student

16
Mentoring Guidelines

• Mentor Consent Form
• Mentor, Parent, Student must sign
• Must be an expert in field related to students
  topic and product
• May not be a faculty member of students school
• Must be 21 years of age
• May not be a family member
• Must spend a minimum of 12 contact hours with
  student
• Contact my be completed face-to-face, phone,
  e-mail, etc.
• Must meet with the student a minimum of 5 times
• Must initial Mentor Verification Log
• Teacher Advisor will phone mentor for product
  progress

17
Chatham Together

• CCS received a grant to work with Chatham
  Together during GP process
• Based on student referrals of at risk students
  from each high school
• Recruit and train mentor coach for each student
• Mentor coach assists student with project
  components
• Mentor Coach acts as chaperone when students
  meets with mentor expert
• Assists in identifying mentor expert if needed

18
Graduation Project Website
19
Graduation Project Website

• http//ds1.chatham.k12.nc.us/graduationProject.nsf
  /gradProject?OpenFrameSet

20
Mentor Information
Mentor/Judge Volunteer Form
Suggest a Community Activity
21
WHY?

• Our students must be competitive
• Across the country
• Globally
• 21st Century Skills
• Not assessed by the state in any other way
• Upon graduation students should be proficient in
• Conducting research
• Speaking publicly
• Performing in the real world
• Graduation Project allows them to practice these
  skills and get support if they need it!