North Carolina has added a requirement for high school graduation – a Graduation Project. Beginning with those who were first-time freshmen in the 2006-2007 school year (the class of 2010), students will showcase their learning through this performance-based exit assessment that provides students with a vehicle to demonstrate what they know and are able to do. It allows students to practice computer, problem-solving and research skills, while giving them experience in writing and public speaking.

Students will still be required to achieve proficiency on five End-of-Course tests as well in order to graduate.

Goals

• Connects students’ educational experiences to practical real-world situations
• Engage students in specific skills that include employability skills, information skills, reading, writing, listening, speaking and teamwork.
• Engage students in a performance assessment that exposes them to rigor, relevance and relationships in preparation for the workplace, higher education and daily life beyond high school.

The Four P’s:

• Research Paper - Requires students to demonstrate proficiency in conducting, evaluating and documenting research on a topic of the student’s choice

• Portfolio - Contains documentation of the research process such as writing samples, personal reflections and student progress

• Product - Requires a minimum of 15 hours of work related to the research topic. Products may include a physical product, a performance-based demonstration, service-oriented volunteering or a job shadowing experience

• Presentation - Provides students with the opportunity to showcase their work from the topic selection through presentation in front of a panel of educators and community members

 Attention Parents!

You play an important part in your child’s Graduation Project. As your child begins the process of the Graduation Project, offer suggestions and ideas about topics, communicate with your child’s advisor and mentor, assist your child with research and the paper, and offer to listen to the oral presentation.

You can also serve as a judge for other Guilford County students to get a better understanding of what is expected.

Attention Volunteers!

Guilford County Schools is seeking

• Graduation project mentors who can provide support and guidance to high school students as they develop the products for their Graduation Projects
• Community members to serve on review panels to hear the oral presentations of students’ work

What is a Mentor?

Anyone from the community who is 21 years of age or older and has expertise in the field a student is researching may serve as a Graduation Project mentor. You accept the following the responsibilities:

• Allocate time (five to fifteen hours) and make arrangements to work with the student on the project.
• Provide suggestions and advice to the student on applicable aspects of the research paper, portfolio, product and oral presentation.
• Provide accurate and honest verification of the student’s work.
• Sign and return all required forms.

All volunteers who spend one-on-one time with a student are required to submit to a criminal record check at the district’s expense.

What is a Judge?

A Graduation Project review panel member (judge) is a community or faculty member who will accept the following the responsibilities:

• Allocate time (three to five hours) and arrange to attend the oral presentations
• Preview/examine the students’ portfolios to become familiar with the projects
• Ask clarifying questions at the end of the presentations
• Evaluate the success or failure of the presentations in accordance with a state-endorsed rubric

For more information, contact Lynne Murray, English Language Arts Curriculum Specialist, High School , at 336-574-2645 (kmurray1@gcsnc.com).