Rebecca GarlandRebecca Garland
Karen BurdenKaren Burden
Wandra PolkWandra Polk
NC Graduation ProjectNC Graduation Project
What is the Graduation Project?
Performance-based assessment thatallows students to demonstrate what
they know and are able to apply in thestudent’s area of interest.
The NC Graduation Project
• Has its history in the Senior Project
• Evolved as a “grassroots” initiative over ten years
ago
• Supported by UNC-G and SERVE
• Recommended by the Standards & Accountability
Commission in the 90’s
Requirements of the Project
• Research paper on topic of student choice
• Project
• Presentation
• Portfolio
Rationale for Graduation Project
• Bolsters student confidence
• Allows for creativity and innovative thinking
• Honors student interests
• Improves communication skills
• Integrates knowledge and application
Implementation of Graduation Project
• Professional Development
Lincoln
DurhamAlamance
Alleghany
Anson
Ashe
Avery
Beaufort
Bertie
Bladen
Brunswick
Buncombe
Burke
Cabarrus
Caldwell
Carteret
Caswell
CatawbaChatham
CherokeeClay
Cleveland
Columbus
Craven
Cumberland
DareDavidson
Davie
Duplin
Edgecombe
ForsythFranklin
Gaston
Gates
Graham
Granville
Greene
Guilford
Halifax
Harnett
Haywood
Henderson
Hertford
Hoke
Hyde
Iredell
Jackson
Johnston
Jones
Lee
Lenoir
McDowell
Macon
MadisonMartin
Mecklenburg
Mitchell
MontgomeryMoore
Nash
NewHanover
Northampton
Onslow
Orange
Pamlico
Pender
Person
Pitt
Polk
Randolph
Richmond
Robeson
Rockingham
Rowan
Rutherford
Sampson
Scotland
Stanly
StokesSurry
Swain
Transylvania
Tyrrell
Union
Vance
Wake
Warren
Washington
Watauga
Wayne
Wilkes
Wilson
Yadkin
Yancey
Perquimans
Chowan
NC Graduation Project & Senior Project Training
Pasquotank
Camden
Currituck
Alexander
Counties trained in NCGP
Counties trained in Senior Project
City and counties trained in NCGP
Counties trained in Senior Project and NCGP
Cities and counties trained in Senior Project and NCGP
Counties trained in other venues and doing Senior Project
Counties obtaining information and self-training in Senior Project
chowan
Based on numerousindividuals from eithercentral office and/orhigh schools in city andcounty systemsattending training inNCGP or Senior Projectas of 1-3-07.
Graduation Project Resources
Graduation Project Resources
Implementation of Graduation Project
• Highlights of Professional Development
• NC Graduation Project Coordinators Conference
• Fall Regional Meetings
What public input or criticismsabout the Graduation Project
have been received and how hasthis been addressed?
Need for consistency in gradingscales used for the four
components of the GraduationProject.
Should Graduation Project onlybe taught in English IV?
Need for assistance inorganizing and managing the
tremendous amount ofpaperwork associated with
multiple students completing thefour components of the NorthCarolina Graduation Project.
Next Steps
• Three Spring Staff Development Trainings
• Summer Institute– June 19-20, 2008
• Continue Quarterly Electronic Newsletter
• Fall Video Conference
Perspective from the Field
Karen Burden
Graduation Project Coordinator
Holly Springs High School
Wake County Public Schools