Graduation Project in Johnston County

1. Graduation Project in Johnston County Cleveland High School Presented by Kimberly Livaudais and Melissa Noel

2. Overview of the Grad Project • The Johnston County Graduation Project is a multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary performance assessment completed over time. The Johnston County Schools Graduation Project provides students the opportunity to connect content knowledge, acquired skills, and work habits to real world situations and issues. • The Johnston County Schools Graduation Project consists of four components: • a research paper [Eng III] • a product, [Eng IV] • An electronic portfolio [Eng IV] • an oral presentation [Eng IV]

3. Paper Requirements • Must be a Persuasive, Argumentative topic • MLA style research • Length for standard: 4-5 • Length for honors: 6-7 • Lengths do not include the Works Cited page • Must have a bare minimum of 5 different academic sources for standard and 7 academic sources for honors • Must have a Works Cited Page • Must turn in: • Annotated bibliography with min. number of sources and min. 25 quotes • Formal Outline • Works Cited Page • Paper Proposal Form • Final Draft • Final Draft is Pass/Fail only for G.P. credit. There is no class grade assigned for the final draft.

4. Credit • IF a student gets to the end of their English III semester and has not passed the paper, that student will need to go to summer school. • IF the student passed the class, but failed the paper, the student will receive a 68/F on the final grade and need to go to Grad Project Summer Class. • IF a student failed both class and paper, the student will need to re-take English III in summer school. • IF the student failed the class but passed the paper, the student can re-take English III online, but does not have to submit a new paper.

5. Paper Topics • The research paper is a persuasive issue paper on a topic chosen by the student. • An issue is a point to be debated, a matter of discussion, or something in question to be considered or decided. • The goal of the paper is to use academic research to prove a point and persuade the audience to think or do something [call to action]. • Topic: Homelessness • Essential Question: Are federal cuts of mental health hospitals creating a larger homeless problem? • Thesis: Since the federal funding cuts that are forcing mental health hospitals to close are creating a worsening homeless problem, the state budgets need to provide better funding for mental hospitals.

6. Academic Research • Sources used in an academic research paper need to be scholarly and academic, not obviously biased, should be checked for expertise of author, research/bibliography of its own, and focused on provable facts, studies, and statistics. This is an academic research paper rather than a personal narrative or opinion editorial.

7. Paper to Product • In English IV, students will take the topic from their research paper and create a product that has a connection to their topic. • Example: Using the thesis about homelessness and funding, a product could be: • Clothing drive for a homeless shelter • Redecorating a homeless shelter (or landscaping) • Food drive for the food pantry • Make "I Care" packages for homeless children and adults.

8. Due Dates for Paper for this Semester • Paper Proposal: 09/13/2012 • Formal Outline: 10/17/2012 • Works Cited: 11/01/2012 • Rough Draft: 11/06/2012 • Annotated Bibliography with all sources and at least 25 quotes: 11/06/2012 • Final Draft: 11/30/2012

9. Change Papers • Sometimes, students get to English IV and need to write a shorter research paper, called a change paper, IF: • They change their mind about their topic • or the product they want to do does not match the paper topic • They have lost their research paper from English III • They have moved into the County in English IV and never did a research paper in English III

10. Products • The Product phase of the Graduation Project represents a hands-on experience dealing with some aspect of the research topic. The creative process can take many forms from construction to performance to volunteering to artistic expression. • The Product should be something that is new to the student or perhaps an extension of prior knowledge, not a re-creation of a former activity. • The completion of the Product will demonstrate a learning stretch physically, emotionally, and intellectually for the student. • Must be 15 hours worth of work • Fundraising is highly discouraged and will require special approval from the principal. However, if a student gains the principal’s approval, he or she must have a representative from an official organization (including school club sponsors) on site to collect all monies. Students are not allowed to collect and/or disperse money. • The Product is a Pass/Fail grade for the Graduation Project.

11. Types of Products • a physical Product: painting, fashion outfit, rebuilt engine, construction • a published written or multimedia Product: a mini anthology of short stories, series of newspaper articles, a video (Product must be appropriate for the intended audience) • a performance: dance recital, musical concert, drama show • a leadership experience: coach a sports team; plan, organize, and implement a service project for local shelters, charities/non-profit organizations; • a physical experience: run a marathon, earn a brown belt in karate • self-improvement experience: earn pilot’s license, earn certifications for various skills (yoga instructor, martial arts instructor, etc.) • The follow are NOT products, but can be used WITH a product: • posters • brochures/pamphlets • trifold board • surveys • PowerPoint presentations • volunteer hours

12. E-Portfolio • In English III, students will create a gmail account (if they do not already have one) and use google sites to create an e-portfolio. • In English III, students will place their research paper, outline, annotated bibliography, and paper proposal form on their e-portfolio. • In English IV, students will use the e-portfolio to house the paperwork and evidence of their product as well as their resume on their e-portfolio. • The E-Portfolio is a Pass/Fail grade for the Graduation Project.

13. Presentation • Towards the end of their English IV semester, Seniors will present their research, product, and e-portfolio to a panel of judges on Senior Board night. Each panel will consist of a mixture of school personnel as well as community members. • The judges will assess the product, e-portfolio, and presentation skills.

14. Judges Needed!!!!! • As a relatively new high school with our very first senior class, we would love to have parents join us on parent night as community judges. • As a judge, you will have a firsthand behind the scenes look at expectations of all four components of the graduation project and will be able to not only provide a great service to the school, but help answer your student’s questions as they navigate the process. • If interested, please fill out the forms for judges at the tables and leave them with a CHS staff member here tonight. You can also fill out a form later by emailing the English teachers, checking the school site, and stopping by Student Services. • Please go to the JCS website and fill out a volunteer from for a level one volunteer as well as filling out the judge form for this school: • https://www.jcsvolunteers.com/

15. Thank you! • Thank you all for coming out. • Questions you still have? If we run out of time, feel free to email: • Kimberlylivaudais@johnston.k12.nc.us • melissanoel@johnston.k12.nc.us