Raleigh Charter High School

1. Raleigh Charter High School Graduation Project: Info for Parents

2. What We Will Address • State Graduation Requirements • RCHS Graduation Project Philosophy • Components of Graduation Project • How RCHS will support your student • Timeline for Graduation Project • How you can help your student

3. New Graduation Requirements Changes affect all NC students, beginning with the Class of 2010. In addition to course requirements, students must: • Complete Graduation Project • Pass five End of Course Tests • Algebra I • Biology • English I • Civics and Economics • US History

4. The State’s Role in the Graduation Project • In 2006 the NC Department of Public Instruction mandated a graduation project for all NC public schools. • A committee of RCHS teachers developed a project according to state guidelines and will evaluate it based on state mandated rubrics. • Beginning with the class of 2010 ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE THIS PROJECT TO GRADUATE!

5. Our Approach • The graduation committee developed a meaningful project that connects with our goal of graduating citizens of the world. • Students select a problem or issue that they care about, research it, and then to “do something” about that problem or issue. • Project integrates some of the school’s most innovative programs, including Citizenship and Flex.

6. Benefits to Our Approach • Fulfills school mission to • Graduate citizens of the world • Develop independence, ownership of learning • Creates a Meaningful experience • “What will YOU do?” • Develops skills, problem-solving • Rounds out RCHS experience • Showcases student work

7. Graduation Project Components State Requirement: THE FOUR Ps 1. Portfolio 2. Paper 3. Product 4. Presentation

8. Portfolio Collects student reflections on nature of citizenship, specific plans for Graduation Project: • Four Interdisciplinary Flex Reflections • Two citizenship reflections • Definition of Citizenship paper • Initial proposal for the project • Project log of work on the student’s product • Final Reflection on the project as a whole Many components completed during school activities

9. Paper • Research paper on a problem or issue of interest to the student will be completed over two summers. • Section 1: History of the issue • Section 2: Current state of the issue • Will help student understand topic, plan for product • Given specific instructions and guidance for each step • Due at start of school • Given guidance on revision to meet state requirements

10. Product • Developed and completed during senior year • Student directly addresses chosen issue • Plan should stem from research on the topic • Does not include volunteering in established program • Many possibilities. For example: Make a website to help an organization Produce a video for education or training Create an organization Propose legislation Run a drive Create art

11. Presentation • Presentations given to advisory in spring of the student’s senior year • Includes a visual aid such as a power point presentation or presentation board • Students will tell what they did and reflect on how it went • Celebrates student work, raises awareness at RCHS • Special Gala to share work with larger RCHS community

12. How are Projects Evaluated? • a panel of evaluators will evaluate all parts of the project • Panel includes teachers, other faculty, and community members • State rubrics used for evaluation • Rubrics available on Grad Project web site • Students made aware of rubric requirements for each step

13. How is RCHS Helping? • Graduation Project Advisors • Portfolio writing during school activities • Flex reflections, Citizenship paper, etc. • Special senior year workshops and workdays • Product proposal workshops • Community Workdays for Product/Presentation • Web resources • Topic ideas, writing help, assignment specifics • Awareness as a school • Spreading project over 3 years

14. Graduation Project Timeline Sophomore Year students will: • Be introduced to Graduation Project • Write definition of citizenship paper • Write ID Flex and citizenship service reflections • Write a proposal for a topic • Meet Graduation Project Advisor

15. Proposal for Project • Discusses the issue or problem they want to study • Will be explained this week in English class • Due after Spring Break • Helps prepare them for summer writing

16. Graduation Project Timeline, cont. Between Sophomore and Junior Year students will: • Write 1st half of research paper Junior year students will: • Revise research paper with help • write ID Flex and Citizenship service reflections

17. Graduation Project Timeline, cont. Between Junior and Senior year students will: • write 2nd half of research paper • Begin thinking about possible products Senior year students will: • write ID Flex reflections • complete the product and product log • present their work • write the final project reflection

18. Your Role as a Parent or Guardian • Help students pick an engaging topic • Focus on issue, not eventual product • Be aware of project requirements and timeline • Encourage students to stay on task, but not to get ahead of themselves • Keep an eye on your student’s progress • Encourage students to seek community contacts • Come see their presentations