Class of 2014Class of 2014Class of 2014Class of 2014

Graduation ProjectGraduation Project

• Each school district (including charter schools) shall specify requirements for graduation in the strategic plan under state statute 4.13 (relating to strategic planning). 

• Requirements shall include course completion and grades, completion of a culminating project and results of local assessments aligned with the academic standards. 

• … The purpose of the culminating project is to assure that students are able to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge and  understanding.

RationaleIn Other words:

Prove that you can take anidea from it’s beginning stages

all the way through to afinished product and report

back on what you’ve accomplished

Basic Requirements• Faculty Advisor/Community Mentor

– Required to begin the project– Requested by Student, approved by Mr. Skaluba

• Project Design– All projects are student designed, student oriented– All projects must be tied to a community organization

• Time Commitment– 30 hours time commitment– Maintain a log of hours– Hours must be non-paid– Hours must not occur during scheduled school hours

• Presentation– Present to faculty advisor, community mentor and one other

faculty member– Present before the assigned deadline!– Showcase the project

Getting the most out of your graduation project

• Be original• Go the extra mile• Build your resume with career

related experiences• Do something, learn something,

build something that you will remember for a lifetime.

Community Connection

• Your project must be tied into a community organization in some way.

• You can commit your time or your talents to a community organization.

• A list of possible connections can be found in Appendix A of the handbook.

Advisors, Deadlines, and Study Hall

• Advisors will be assigned in a quasi –random way– You request three– We do a random sort of all students– Advisor requests will be referenced and assigned in order of the

random sort.– No faculty member will have more than three students per class.

• Deadline assignment will follow advisor assignment– You got first choice of advisors, you get first deadline– All deadlines will fall between March 1st and May 1st of the junior

year. – You may NOT participate in graduation if you do not meet your

deadline.• Study Hall

– Your study hall proctor will now serve as an extra “check” on your progress and as a resource to bounce your ideas off of.

The Process

• Step 1 – Advisor assignment• Step 2 – Idea Development• Step 3 – Carry out the project• Step 4 – Prepare your presentation• Step 5 – Present

Analyze

Apply

Synthesize & Evaluate

Communicate Understanding

Timeline• This Week:

– Brainstorm and ask questions• By Monday

– Request advisor• Right now: turn to page 5• Semester One• Quarter Three• Quarter Four• 11th grade

Evaluation• Student projects will be evaluated by the

faculty advisor, the community mentor and one other faculty member chosen by the student.

• Areas to be assessed:– Research & Content– Organization– Presentation – Presentation Materials– Question & Answer– Log

Non-Completion

• Progress letter sent home to parent when progress is inadequate

• Failure to present by the deadline will result in non-participation in the graduation ceremony

• Failure to complete a graduation project will result in failure to graduate

Questions?

?

Project Ideas

• Community Service– Volunteer at Sullivan County Historical Museum– Assist in planning a county health fair, fund

raiser, renaissance faire, foliage festival etc. • Research Projects

– Oral history of Sullivan County (partner with County Commissioners)

• Career Related– Entrepreneurship-establishing and presenting

your own business (Community Connection – Chamber of Commerce)

– Job Shadowing

More Ideas

• Creative/Hands on Work• Create and produce a public service announcement for a community

organization.• Find a solution to a local problem, i.e. attracting an industry to

Sullivan County and work with appropriate local authority• Write a collection of short stories, a children’s book with illustrations,

a volume of poetry, etc. and partner with the local library or Tuesday Book Club.

• Hold a one-person art show or music recital and partner with a local organization such as the women’s club, senior citizens center etc.

• Create an original piece of music and partner with the music club.• Build/Maintain a website for a community organization• Build a piece of furniture, a deck, a sign, a picnic table etc. for an

organization in need.• Contact the Association for Retired Citizens and volunteer car

maintenance services.

What’s next…

• Turn your faculty advisor and community mentor request into the guidance office by September 26th

• Brainstorm at home and in the community

• Do not begin your project until a faculty advisor has been assigned and the required approvals have been obtained

Quiz• What types of projects can you complete?

– Creative, community service, research etc.

• How many hours are required?– 30

• How many people must be at your presentation? – 3