North Carolina Graduation Project Eleanor Hasse Randy Senzig Peggy Sloan Sarah Yelton Environmental Education Forum Haw River State Park February 12, 2008
Session Objectives • Overview of NC Graduation Project. • Develop Science Community Support for Graduation Projects. • Encourage Science Graduation Projects • Share Graduation Project Ideas and Experiences
Graduation Project Guide is available: • On the DPI NC Graduation Project Website at: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/graduationproject/ Password ________ • Available from our Publications Office 1-800-663-1250
Overview The NC Graduation Project is a performance-based exit assessment Effective with the entering 2006-2007 ninth graders(this year’s sophomores)
Overview • NCGP is a school-wide responsibility • There is no set formula - it should be developed and owned by the entire school and community • Don’t let one discipline or group set policies that preclude great projects in other disciplines. • Build in safeguards • Allows students to apply practical, real-world skills
Overview Four components • Research paper • Product • Portfolio • Oral presentation • Note: Students must complete all four
The Paper • Standard Style (MLA or APA) • Length: 8-10 pages not including titles, charts, and resources. • LEAs may differentiate for academic, honors, AP, IEPs, and/or ELL. • LEAs may set the minimum number and types of resources required. The LEA may require an interview. • Teacher advisor approves project at each step. • Processes monitored: topic selection, note taking, outlining, thesis development and working bibliography. • Plagiarism must be defined, discussed and prevented.
The Product tangible product • Students may produce a tangible product like a boat, wedding cake, container herb garden, quilt or computer game. • Students may conduct a service project such as raise money for a charity, plan and set up meals for a homeless shelter or organize a battle of the bands for a selected cause. • Students may conduct original research such as scientific investigations on a particular topic.
Product • Should link to research topic and thesis • Should be adequately documented • Photographs, logs, letters, journal entries, video, etc • Should be evidence of the time and effort invested • Should not be dependent on the amount of money invested
Portfolio • Is a learning record of the • Process & • Progress • Sample Table of Contents (page 9-10 of guidebook) • If the school has the resources, students should be encouraged to collect work samples and artifacts electronically
Oral Presentation • Is a culmination of the NCGP • Should: • Demonstrate public speaking skills • Deliver accurate, credible information on the topic
What role can environmental educators play? • Serve as advisors. • Serve as mentors. • Contribute ideas and research needs to local schools. • Post ideas, needs for interns, future projects already planned, and research needs to a central web site/message board.
Graduation Project Mentors • Community or faculty member • Expertise in field • Willing to work with the student • 21 years of age or older • May not be a household member • Scrutinized for appropriateness
GP Mentors • Approved by parents and school • Allocate time and make arrangements to work with the student • Provide suggestions and advice • Serves as a support and resource
Protecting Yourself and Students • Meet in public places at appropriate times. • Be sure research plan, project or product is safe. • Make sure project is do-able. • Communicate with student’s faculty advisor. • Keep up with paperwork. • Keep records of correspondence. • Make sure student is committed to the project before you invest huge effort.
Review Panel • Community or faculty members • Attend presentations • Participate in the evaluation of a student’s presentation and possibly other components.
Science Competitions • Great way to prepare students for graduation projects and meet inquiry and technological design goals. • Science Fair http://www.ncsta.org/sciencefair/ • Science Olympiad http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/science_olympiad/ • Student Academy of Science http://www.ncacadsci.org/ncsas/ • Other Competitions
Options for Completing the NCGP • Service Learning • Advanced Placement • International Baccalaureate • Advanced Studies • Career and Technical Education
Diverse Learners Considerations for: • Students with disabilities • LEP students All students that must participate in statewide assessment ALSO have to pass all four components of the NCGP
Contacts Eleanor Hasse eehasse@dpi.state.nc.us Benita Tipton btipton@dpi.state.nc.us Bryar Cougle Tcougle@dpi.state.nc.us 919-807-3855
Download
While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server.
