Wilkes County Schools Graduation Project Guidelines 2016-2017
Graduation Project general guidelines are as follows:
A product
A portfolio with a reflective component
A presentation
Research Paper guidelines are as follows:
Product/Hours guidelines are as follows:
Presentation guidelines are as follows:
Portfolio Content
Each student portfolio must include:
Graduation Project general guidelines are as follows:
- the graduation project includes:
A product
A portfolio with a reflective component
A presentation
- The Graduation Project idea must be student generated.
- The Graduation Project must be of sufficient depth to reflect extensive study and research.
- The Graduation Project must demonstrate global readiness including 21st Century Skills.
- The proposed Graduation Project must be approved by the academic advisor/committee (including Principal, GP Coordinator, and faculty members) and the student’s parents/guardian.
- The product must show evidence of knowledge gained in completion of the research/hours.
- The Graduation Project should not require large sums of money. Money will not enhance the evaluation of the Graduation Project.
Research Paper guidelines are as follows:
- The paper topic should explore related subjects to their project.
- The paper must have a topic outline.
- The paper should include a minimum of five sources. For example – interviews, print sources, and internet.
- The paper should include a visual element (graph, chart, diagram, picture, etc.) with source documentation.
- The paper should include a minimum of six to ten typed pages; double spaced; Times New Roman 12-point font; one-inch margins. The exact requirement may vary depending on whether the student is enrolled in English IV Honors or Standard English IV.
- Documentation must be MLA format; minimum of twelve (12) parenthetical references.
- The paper must include a completed works cited page.
- Plagiarism will result in automatic failure.
Product/Hours guidelines are as follows:
- The product/hours must be related to the research paper.
- The product/hours must take a minimum of fifteen (15) hours.
- The student is expected to spend a minimum of seven (7) contact hours with the mentor.
- The Student Log completed by the student must reflect a minimum of seven (7) mentor contact hours during project completion and be signed by the mentor.
- The mentor should be over 25-years old and not immediate family.
- A photographic record of the project completion should include 10-12 pictures. These photographs must show the student actively engaged in tasks associated with project completion and at least one picture of both the mentor and student.
- Mentor verifications must be put in portfolio.
- Each student must complete the Student Log. The number of logs will be determined by the advisor based on the scope of the project. Students are encouraged to split long days into tasks (if more than 4 hours are completed during the day).
- GP Mentor Confirmation Form must be completed.
Presentation guidelines are as follows:
- The student should wait for a signal from the facilitator before beginning.
- The facilitator will introduce the panel to the student.
- The student should remember that this is a formal presentation. Dress appropriately. Consult a teacher, academic advisor, mentor, or presentation rubric to ensure appropriate selection of attire.
- The student should not chew gum.
- The student should be aware of personal body language. Avoid nervous gestures that may adversely affect the presentation.
- The student should maintain eye contact with panelists.
- The student should not read the presentation.
- The student should practice the presentation several times until comfortable with its format and content. Time the presentation to be sure that the time limit is not exceeded.
- The student should try to anticipate what questions review panelists might ask and plan answers that might be given. While panelists may not ask these exact questions, this will provide an opportunity to practice ahead of time.
- Speeches must meet the 6 to 10 minute time limit.
- Students must complete an acceptable dress rehearsal prior to the panel presentation with academic advisor.
- Speeches are judged on content and delivery.
- Students are required to use a technological component: audio and/or visual aids.
- A completed portfolio is required to share with the panel.
Portfolio Content
Each student portfolio must include:
- Title Page (student generated)
- GP Contract Form GP-1
- Proposal Letter (student generated)
- GP Proposal/Approval Form GP-2
- GP Mentor Confirmation Form GP-3
- GP Student Log GP-4
- Photographs or other audio-visual media that document the student’s work over the span of the project (student generated)
- Other items beyond those required that the student believes important to illustrate his/her progress (student generated)
- Research paper (student generated)
- GP Mentor Reflection GP-5
- GP Student Self-Evaluation (student generated, based on GP-6)
- Written acknowledgment to those who helped in the student’s learning/copies of thank you notes sent (student generated)
- GP Portfolio Checklist GP-7