SENIOR PROJECT:SENIOR PROJECT:

A Model Approach A Model Approach for for

Engaging SeniorsEngaging Seniors

JaniceJanice Dreis and Larry RehageDreis and Larry Rehage Copyright 2006Copyright 2006

What are the What are the issues/problems regarding issues/problems regarding

the senior year?the senior year?

DISENGAGEMENTDISENGAGEMENT

Challenges of the Senior YearChallenges of the Senior Year

Early admissions to collegeEarly admissions to college Lack of relevanceLack of relevance Few opportunities for self-directed learningFew opportunities for self-directed learning Same old routine Same old routine Outgrown the institutional structuresOutgrown the institutional structures ““Game Over”Game Over”

Reference National Commission on the Senior Year - 2000Reference National Commission on the Senior Year - 2000

Key PremisesKey PremisesSeniors areSeniors are

• In transitionIn transition• Capable peopleCapable people• In need of new experiencesIn need of new experiences• Ready to apply what they have learned to Ready to apply what they have learned to

the real world the real world • Eager to have a voice in what they learnEager to have a voice in what they learn• In need of adult interaction and In need of adult interaction and

mentoringmentoring

Four Programs thatFour Programs thatPrepare for Transition andPrepare for Transition and

Enhance EngagementEnhance Engagement

1. Senior Guidance Plan/ Institute1. Senior Guidance Plan/ Institute2. Senior Instructional Leadership Corps (SILC)2. Senior Instructional Leadership Corps (SILC)3. Senior Project3. Senior Project4. Year-long Senior Service Project4. Year-long Senior Service Project

Senior ProjectSenior Project

Concept dates back at least to the late 1960’sConcept dates back at least to the late 1960’s Many types of programs – “huge differences”Many types of programs – “huge differences” Key models: Medford, Oregon; Evanston, Illinois Key models: Medford, Oregon; Evanston, Illinois Common componentsCommon components

– ResearchResearch– Student directedStudent directed– ExperientialExperiential– Final semesterFinal semester– Presentation of learningPresentation of learning

SENIOR PROJECTSENIOR PROJECT

A five week experiential project in the final quarterA five week experiential project in the final quarter

Beyond the classroom wallsBeyond the classroom walls

Under the guidance of a community sponsorUnder the guidance of a community sponsor

Senior ProjectSenior Project RationaleRationale

– Offers an antidote for senioritisOffers an antidote for senioritis– Encourages independence, responsibility, self-advocacyEncourages independence, responsibility, self-advocacy– Provides transition into the “real” worldProvides transition into the “real” world– Promotes self-directed learningPromotes self-directed learning

Types of Projects Types of Projects

CreativeCreative CareerCareer Service Service AcademicAcademic

The Process The Process

Choose Choose StaffStaff Consultant & MentorConsultant & MentorWrite aWrite a Research Paper Research PaperCreate a Create a PortfolioPortfolioCompleteComplete Project Experience Project ExperiencePresent to Present to Evaluation CommitteeEvaluation Committee

BenefitsBenefits

Engages seniors in dynamic, student-driven learning Engages seniors in dynamic, student-driven learning experiences beyond the classroom wallsexperiences beyond the classroom walls

Fosters new dimensions of faculty/staff collegialityFosters new dimensions of faculty/staff collegiality Integrates parent community into educational programIntegrates parent community into educational program Encourages educational partnerships with the wider Encourages educational partnerships with the wider

communitycommunity Provides unique leadership opportunities for seniorsProvides unique leadership opportunities for seniors Creates a rejuvenating and vital transition to the next stage Creates a rejuvenating and vital transition to the next stage

of lifeof life

Role of Project ConsultantRole of Project Consultant

Helps design project conceptHelps design project concept Helps articulate goals and activities Helps articulate goals and activities Oversees proposal writing processOversees proposal writing process Communicates regularly with Community Communicates regularly with Community

Sponsor during ProjectSponsor during Project Meets weekly with senior during ProjectMeets weekly with senior during Project

Role of Community SponsorRole of Community Sponsor

Helps develop goals and activitiesHelps develop goals and activities Supervises senior at Project siteSupervises senior at Project site Communicates regularly with ConsultantCommunicates regularly with Consultant Validates weekly timesheets Validates weekly timesheets Evaluates senior’s work on ProjectEvaluates senior’s work on Project

Evaluation CommitteesEvaluation CommitteesComposed of -Composed of -Two teachers/staff membersTwo teachers/staff membersTwo community membersTwo community membersOne senior (serves as chair)One senior (serves as chair)

Each committee evaluates five senior Each committee evaluates five senior projectsprojects

EvaluationEvaluation

Daily log Daily log Mentor and Advisor LogsMentor and Advisor Logs Weekly reflectionsWeekly reflections Time sheetsTime sheets Sponsor EvaluationSponsor Evaluation Self-Evaluation Self-Evaluation Final Exit ConferenceFinal Exit Conference ExhibitionExhibition

Role of CoordinatorsRole of Coordinators

Establish timeline and schedule all activitiesEstablish timeline and schedule all activities Solicit school and community supportSolicit school and community support Foster student interest Foster student interest Conduct training workshops for evaluators and Conduct training workshops for evaluators and

consultantsconsultants Recruit and form evaluation committees and Recruit and form evaluation committees and

coordinate Proposal Evaluations coordinate Proposal Evaluations Collect all project evaluation materials and Collect all project evaluation materials and

distribute to evaluation committeesdistribute to evaluation committees Coordinate final Exit Conference and ExhibitionCoordinate final Exit Conference and Exhibition Monitor and evaluate all phases of programMonitor and evaluate all phases of program

ReferenceReference

Dreis, J. and Rehage, L. (2006). Senior Projectt. Retrieved from http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:kuSceqyXs0AJ:www.nsee.org/conf_downloads/60-Minute_Senior_Project_Dreis_Rehage.ppt+Senior+Project+ppt&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjz_iCIVSug4TPM93pTLGuChMCZzQnqatatSvDidFaWm_AhCbyYTW-4RR5nL6D96PrTb-BDf3hQ7b9kjdcSTnUS_fs8XWUX5CMKlZ94Jxe-X3p_189EUNjAZKFYLoYQU1-78ZEc&sig=AHIEtbQ2btJxTHnJYHaVAq4EIsAI1be6IA