Senior Project
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Sr. Proj. (Senior Project) is an educational program designed to challenge high school seniors in the United States. It was conceived in Medford, Oregon, in 1985 and has since spread across the country.
Although largely successful, the program has drawn criticism from those who believe it is unnecessary. Students choose a topic of interest to them and create a senior project that consists of the four P's[1]:
- Paper
- Product
- Portfolio
- Presentaion
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[edit] How it works
The Senior Project program is normally adopted at the district level. However, the North Carolina State Board of Education is requiring all students, starting with the class of 2010, to complete a Senior Project. Once adopted, creating a senior project (in most cases) becomes a requirement for graduation. For students who fail one or more parts of the project, there are, in a few school systems, "safety net" dates on which they can re-submit their work. A majority of students pass their senior project, but some do not. Also, quite a few students are discouraged by the Senior Project and drop out.
[edit] Topic selection
The senior project is student driven in that students choose their own topic and implement the project on their own. Many topics have been banned within school systems that have had Senior Project implemented for several years. Although students may choose a topic related to a career they wish to pursue, many are unable to do so because the topics have been banned. Most topics are generally acceptable as long as they are relevant and demonstrate a learning stretch. Topics must also incorporate two of these criteria:
- Academic: Project involves formal instructions from a professional in the field outside of the high school.
- Community Service: Project provides viable service to the community.
- Career: Project involves potential future development.
- Personal Growth: Project represents a unique personal challenge.
[edit] Essay
Some schools require students to write a research paper directly related to their chosen topic. Others want, instead, a persuasive paper that argues a debtable issue generally related to their topic.
[edit] Physical product
One must create a physical product. This demonstrates mastery of a skill as outlined in the early stages of the Senior Project, and 'proves' that the student successfully worked on the project. Often, a minimum amount of tracked contact time with a guiding mentor is required for this portion. Unfortunately for educators, many students make up their hours and get their mentor to sign off on them.[citation needed] Thus, the purpose of Senior Project is almost defeated.
[edit] Portfolio
The student creates a portfolio. This portfolio details the experiences of the student throughout their senior project. It includes photographs, journal entries, a description of their experiences, and all the paperwork, also known as "busy work" to students, associated with the senior project. Many of students are unable to express their true feelings throughout the journal entries because, according to schools, "It would look bad during your final presentation in front of the panel of judges."[citation needed]
[edit] Oral presentation
The student gives an oral presentation to a 'Senior Board,' a group of mature people who judge the senior's completion of the project. Graded by a strict system of criteria, the oral presentation is the final and most nervewracking stage of the senior project. Most of the judges grade the presentation extremely easy because they realize several things about Senior Project:
- The student has worked extremely hard
- If they fail the student may not graduate
[edit] Criticism of the senior project
Some feel the senior project is unnecessary.[citation needed] Many schools have been sued by the parents of students who failed senior project and were therefore unable to graduate. As a result, these schools were forced to lower their requirements. Many parents also feel that English is much more important than to make something, write something, package something, and then present it.[citation needed]
