Moshannon Valley

Moshannon Valley

Jr./Sr. High School

2017-2018

Graduation Project

Handbook

Dear Student,

All students graduating from the Moshannon Valley Jr./Sr. High School must complete a Graduation Project that fulfills the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations. This handbook contains very specific guidelines and procedures to help you complete this requirement successfully.

We have created this handbook for you and your parents to review so that you will have a thorough understanding of the project. To direct you in this endeavor, we are providing you with a handbook in which you will find all necessary explanations, assessments, and report forms.

We encourage you to select a challenging project in an area of personal interest. Your advisor will provide you with the guidance necessary to complete a successful project; however, the primary responsibility to complete the project rests with you.

Wishing you success,

Moshannon Valley Jr./Sr. High School Administration and Faculty

The High School Graduation Project Requirement

According to Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations, all high school students in the Moshannon Valley School District will have to complete a graduation project in order to graduate.

Sec. 4.24. High School Graduation Requirements

(a) Each school district (including charter schools) shall specify requirements for graduation in the strategic plan under 4.13 (relating to strategic planning). Requirements shall include course completion and grades, completion of culminating project and results of local assessments aligned with the academic standards. …The purpose of the culminating project is to assure that students are able to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge and understanding.

Graduation Project

1. Introduction

Pennsylvania curriculum regulations mandate that local school districts require students to complete a project in order to graduate. This project should demonstrate that students have the ability to gather, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information. It must be interdisciplinary, covering at least two areas of concentrated study.

Studentprojects shall be career-oriented. Students will complete two(2) job shadows on careers of their own choosing that they either show an aptitude for or have an interest in.

The project requires a definite time line to monitor the progress of the student. Students write a research paper related to the subject/focus of the project and complete community service hours to connect with the community. Students demonstrate, exhibit, and/or present their project before a review panel for assessment and then complete a self-evaluation form as the last step in the process.

1. The Project Proposal

The proposal describes (1) the career focus of the project; two (2)the purpose for selection of the career; (3) the potential resources the student will use as well as the actions for gathering information; and (4) a time line. Students need a completed, signed, and approved proposal.

1. The Project

The project itself must be interdisciplinary (including two or more subject areas) and must be approved and supervised by the high school faculty. It consists of six distinct parts:

(1) The project proposal

(2) The written research paper

(3) Thejob shadow experience

(4) The oral presentation before a review panel

(5) Twelve completed hours of community service

(6) A self-evaluation

1. The Research Paper

The written research paper portion of the project must be a standard research paper using the APA format on a topic directly related to the student’s career choice. The written piece must include internal documentation as well as a works cited page. All written components must be word-processed.

1. The Original Project

It is not enough that students present a research paper as their final project; they must perform some activity from which they can gather information, experience, or data firsthand. The project will be based on career exploration in which students shadowed, interviewed, and observed professionals in the field as well as participated in actual procedures practiced in the field. The student must complete two separate job shadows.

1. The Oral Presentation

The five to fifteen minute oral presentation reporting on the job shadow experience is given to the Research Teacher, Guidance Counselor, and/or Principals during their eleventh grade school year. The presentation may be delayed until the first 9 weeks of a student’s twelfth grade year if there are circumstances which would dictate it. Students deliver an organized presentation discussing their experiences and the procedures involved in their job shadow experience. The contents of the research may be acceptable as an introduction to the talk. Students may not read directly from papers, but may use notes. Effective speaking skills will be evaluated. The presentation must include a power point or some other computer or video generated visual aspect.

Students are evaluated on a successful/unsuccessful (or pass/fail) basis; if a portion is deemed unsuccessful, only that portion must be reworked and resubmitted at a mutually agreed upon time. The panel may also recommend commendations on the overall project or portions thereof.

1. The Self-Evaluation

After the oral presentation, students are to submit a completed self-evaluation form to their adviser by the next school day.

1. Community Service

The student must complete twelve hours of community service between their ninth and twelfth grade school years as part of the graduation project. Community service must be service rendered within the community on a volunteer basis for no pay. After completion of any hours, the teacher-mentor, student, and a representative from the community entity must sign off. Community service can include:

• volunteering at a bloodmobile
• volunteering at a church activity
• volunteering at an elderly persons’ home
• cleaning up a local park
• volunteering at an event for a local organization
• volunteering at an elementary school event

Each student is assigned a faculty adviser to guide him/her through the successful completion of each portion of the project. Any faculty member, however, may be approached for advice or guidance on a given topic.

The adviser is responsible for all written materials and record keeping for their student’s work.

Project Proposal

Date: ______

Student’s Name: ______Grade:_____

Homeroom: ______Advisor: ______

Career Choice: ______

1. Brief description of job shadows to complete:

a.

b.

2. What research will this project require you to do? What types of sources will you use?

3. What knowledge and/or skills do you expect to have learned upon completion of this project?

4. Why did you decide on this project topic or why is it important to you?

5. How does this project relate to your future career?

6. What are the major steps that you think you might take to complete this project?

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

7. What resources and materials will you use?

Student’s Signature: ______

Parent’s Signature: ______

Advisor’s Signature: ______

This completed form must be submitted to your advisor and will be placed in your Graduation Project folder.

Self-Evaluation

Student’s Name: ______Grade:______

Homeroom: ______Advisor: ______

Career Choice: ______

Directions: Respond in writing to the following questions. If necessary, use a separate sheet of paper.

1. What knowledge, skills, or abilities have you gained as a result of your project?

2. What do you consider to be a major strength of your project?

3. Knowing that there is always room for improvement, what is one thing you would do differently?

4. Which part of the project proved to be the most difficult for you?

5. In the future, how might you apply what you have learned?

Advisor’s Signature: ______Date:______

Student’s Signature: ______Date:______

Community Service Log

Students must complete twelve hours of community service between their ninth and twelfth grade school years.

Graduation Project Timeline

• 9TH GRADE

• 10TH GRADE

• 11TH GRADE

• 12TH GRADE