GRADUATION PROJECT 2015 2016 Goal of the Graduation

GRADUATION PROJECT 2015 - 2016

Goal of the Graduation Project The goal of the project is to assure and ascertain the CMS students have acquired the skills, knowledge, and concepts necessary to perform well when they leave high school.

Each student will use educational tools to broaden his or her knowledge about a particular, self-selected topic focused on a community or global issue.

The topic should be complex and comprehensive enough to challenge the student intellectually and creatively.

Four Components of the Graduation Project Each student will demonstrate mastery of his or her topic through the four components of the Graduation Project.

Components of the Graduation Project • Research with formal paper: Usually completed in English III • Product: Service Learning Experience: May be completed the 11 th or 12 th grade • Portfolio: Evidence of effort • Presentation to panel of judges

1. Research Paper • The content of the student-produced paper shows that knowledge has been gained and that the student is able to analyze, apply, and synthesize that knowledge. • The topic of the research should be focused on a community or global issue. The service and topic should be closely related. Students may work on the research and project simultaneously.

Graduation Project Topic Selection The research topic • should be one that requires knowledge across multiple subjects. • Should be one that is broad enough to allow the student access to enough information, yet narrow enough to make the research scope reasonable. • Should be one in which the student is interested, but not one about which the student is already an expert. • Should be one that is academically and creatively challenging to the student.

EVALUATION OF THE RESEARCH-BASED PAPER • The content shows that knowledge has been gained and that the student is able to analyze, apply, and synthesize that knowledge. • The paper incorporates a minimum of five sources, including at least one primary source. • Students should use the most current MLA Handbook with intext citations. • The final draft of the paper include a works cited page. • The paper is 6 – 8 pages of text. • Each student must complete a research paper before continuing to the product, presentation, and portfolio phase of the Graduation Project.

2. Service Learning Experience / Project • The project is an appropriate outgrowth / extension of the research. • Students must complete a minimum of 15 focused service hours directly related to their chosen community issue.

A Short List of Possible Activities • Advocacy Campaigns • Awareness Campaigns • Building/Designing Affordable Housing • Cleaning and Refurbishing Public Spaces • Participate in a National Day of Action • Internship • Organize/Staff a Cultural Awareness Event • Distribute Health Kits • Food/Clothes Drive • Organize/Staff Youth Forums or Councils • Create Webinars • Promote Volunteerism • Plant Trees

3. Presentations • The student will make an oral presentation of the research findings and service learning experiences to a panel of judges. • Students will be evaluated on communication skills, appropriate demeanor, extemporaneous questions, and content of knowledge about the self-selected topic.

Focus of Presentation • What was learned as a result of research and the service experience? • What impact was made in the community as a result? • How has the Graduation Project impacted the student?

4. Portfolio • As students progress through the Graduation Project, they will compile a portfolio, which should contain required documents and artifacts of the Graduation Project components, and evidence of effort put into a service learning experience.

• To download a copy of the Graduation Project manual, go to the following website: http: //learningandteaching. cmslearns. org/ literacy-9 -12/ Go to “High School Live. Binder” and click on the yellow Graduation Project tab to access the manual. Click on the green CMS Serves tab and go to Community Issues for topic ideas.