What should I do my Graduation Project on?

Should students have to do Senior Project as a High School Graduation Requirement?

• In my high school, we needed to complete a senior project in order to graduate: these were the requirements. Each student in the District is required to complete a mandatory Senior Project. The Senior Project is a graduation requirement that begins freshmen year and involves career research, evaluation, mentoring and presentation. The purpose of Senior Project is to allow each student an opportunity to explore career option, observe professional work through the mentoring process and provide students with a career path for their future. Senior Project is a required, independent project with instructional support. The process will begin with an orientation for freshmen to the Senior Project. During the orientation, students will receive an overview of the Senior Project and have an opportunity to ask questions about project requirements. Over the next four years students will complete the following: 1. Contract: Both parents and students will sign a contract that commits both parties to successful completion of the Senior Project. 2. Career Project: Students will research three possible career choices and create a brochure outlining specifications for each career. 3. Career Essay: A five paragraph essay expressing interest in a specific career. 4. Career Speech: Students will develop and deliver a speech on a specific career in their Speech class. 5. Letter of Intent: Students will compose a professional letter to their Senior Project Advisor expressing their career intentions. 6. Annotated Bibliography: Students will research and compose a career-based annotated bibliography within their English III class. 7. Mentor Application: An application filled out by the mentor, stating their agreement to mentor the student. 8. Mentor Log: A document of recorded dates and times spent observing and learning from their mentor. 9. Mentor Evaluation: A detailed student evaluation filled out by the mentor upon completion of required mentor hours. 10. Presentation: Students will deliver a final career presentation to advisors. Students must create a visual aid to accompany their presentation, (i.e. PowerPoint, tri-fold board, demonstration, etc). In my opinion I think such a thing is a great idea because it can help students decided what they want to do with their lives. It does not seem unreasonable to me to make it a graduation requirement since choosing a career path is just as important as the other skills that people are required to learn in school.

• Answer:

  As long as the project is career oriented and kids can explore options off campus, I think it's a very good idea. Many kids don't go to college, and the senior project can help them decide what sort of career path to follow. The only problem might be that in some areas it might be hard to find a mentor. But all in all, it's a good idea and lots of school require it.