North Carolina Graduation Project

1. North Carolina Graduation Project An overview of the GP process at FVHS

2. What is the purpose of the GP? The GP is a statewide graduationrequirement that provides student experience with the following 21st Century skills: Public Speaking Written Language Presentation Technology Community Involvement Personal Responsibility Personal Growth

3. GP Timeline for Students 9th Grade • Student and family become familiar with the Graduation Project process through Advisory and Parent Night • Students learn basic research skills in all subjects • Students practice oral presentation skills in all classes • Students complete an interest inventory • Students begin portfolio compilation with evidence of skills learned/practiced (3 required components)

4. GP Timeline for Students 10th Grade • Students choose and finalize their topic (must be a learning stretch) • Students write essential questions for Research Paper • Students create a plan for product options (service learning, job shadowing, internship, etc.) • Students research potential mentor options • Students continue to reinforce research, presentation, and technology skills • Students continue portfolio compilation

5. GP Timeline for Students 11th Grade • Students successfully complete Research Paper requirement • Students secure a mentor for product options and begin consultation to log hours • Students practice oral presentation skills • Students finalize product idea • Students continue portfolio compilation

6. GP Timeline for Students 12th Grade • Students will complete the Product, Presentation, and Portfolio components of Graduation Project • Students will present their entire Graduation Project to a panel of judges • Student projects will be scored using state-endorsed rubrics • Students will have gained useful skills for transitioning into the college and/or university level and workplace

7. So in a nut shell students have to: • Write a RESEARCH PAPER (Jr. Eng.) • Topic of interest/Essential Question • Compile a PORTFOLIO (9-12) • Includes 2 summaries, 2 MLA, 2 presentations, Interest Inventory, Research Paper, misc. forms from the handbook as documentation • Create a PRODUCT (at home/GP Lab 408) • Shows learning process of paper topic • Examples: Power point, Poster, Handmade object, Certificate • Do a PRESENTATION (Semester of Sr. Eng.) • Describe all four parts to a panel of judges

8. Student Support • Students will be assigned a faculty Advisor upon entering the 9th grade at FVHS. • The Advisor will guide the student through the GP process 9th-12th grade • Students are provided with a GP Handbook outlining all GP requirements • Students can also secure a community mentor in the field of interest to assist them in the development of their project

9. 9th Grade Advisors will: • Introduce and explain the GP process • Distribute and review the FVHS GP Handbook • Make sure to collect 1 summary, 1 MLA, 1 presentation, Interest Inventory • Serve as judges for presentations Freshmen

10. 10th Grade Advisors will: • Make sure to collect 1 summary (2 total), 1 MLA (2 total), 1 presentation (2 total) • Facilitate student selection of topic and development of essential questions • Collect and file completed topic approval forms in student portfolios • Serve as judges for presentations Sophomores

11. 11th Grade Advisors will: • Confirm topic development and essential questions, assist with research • Assist students with finding and securing a mentor • Guide students with portfolio completion • Serve as judges for presentations Juniors

12. 12th Grade Advisors will: • Guide students with product development • Assist students with portfolio completion • Assist students with presentation preparation (rehearsal and practice) • Serve as judges for presentations Seniors

13. Mentors Your mentor must meet the following qualifications: ● The mentor must have documented knowledge and expertise in your area of interest. This may include a college degree, business ownership, employment in the area, or hands-on training. ● The mentor must agree to consult with you a minimum of five times during the course of your research. This may include a face-to-face meeting, a phone or electronic interview, job shadowing, and/or site visitation. All time spent working with your mentor must be recorded on the Mentor/Product Log. ● The mentor must be at least 21 years of age ● The mentor may not be a family member EXCEPTION TO AGE/FAMILY MEMBER: Exception to either of these requirements may be made with special approval from the Graduation Project Committee. This request must be submitted in writing and must include a rationale.

14. Details about the Four P’s Paper Product Presentation Portfolio

15. The GP Research Paper • Will be completed during 11th grade English • Must be 8-10 pages long (in totality) • Must answer an essential question-nota report or howto • Must use MLA documentation • Must be purposeful, focused, and in-depth • Must involve appropriate research skills • Will be evaluated by a state wide rubric

16. The GP Product • Should reflect a minimum of 15 hour investment documented on Product Log • Should be an extension of Research Paper • Should be tangible(performance,demonstration, experiment, etc.)or intangible (volunteering, organizing, interning, etc.) • Will be evaluated by a state wide rubric

17. The GP Portfolio • Includes key documents (2 summaries, 2 MLA, 2 presentations, Interest Inventory, checklists, rubrics) from each year (9-12) delineating the process • Includes a final copy of research paper • Is a physical learning record • Shows student process and progress over the years • Can be used for future job interviews • Will be evaluated by a state wide rubric

18. The GP Presentation • Is a 7-10 minute formal presentation before a panel of community and faculty members • Allows students to highlight work and learning over time • Is a demonstration of public speaking skills • Is the delivery of accurate, credible information on the topic • Will be evaluated by a state wide rubric

19. In summary… • Every staff member has an important part to play! • Know the GP process and share it cheerfully with students and parents! • Remember to keep focused on the STUDENTS-they’re counting on you! • In time, we’ll become as great at this as we are at other things!

20. Questions?