GP Coordinators:

The Graduation Project Guidelines for Randolph County

The Graduation Project is designed to give students an opportunity to explore a topic of interest.

The Research Paper will follow these guidelines:

·         5-8 pages (not including outline, works cited, or appendices)

·         Double-spaced, 1" margins, 12 pt. Times New Roman Font

·         Works Cited page with at least 5 sources (MLA format unless otherwise approved)

o         Include at least one primary source (interview, ernail, survey, etc.)

o         Include at least two Internet sources (excluding general encyclopedias)

o      Include at least two print sources (book, magazine, pamphlet, brochure)
• No general encyclopedias of any type (Wikipedia, Americana, Encarta, etc.)

The Product will follow these guidelines:

·         Adhere to approved letter of intent and product plan

·         Be a natural extension of the research topic (must be related)

·         Requires a minimum of 15 documented hours to complete (8 face-to-face hours with at least 3 mentor contacts)

·         Be tangible (physical or written) or Intangible (performance, skill, or experience)

·         Must have visual (photographs or videotape) documentation of the experience (at least 5-7 pictures including
one with the student and mentor together)

·         Product or evidence must be present at Graduation Project presentation

·         Product must represent a learning stretch

The Portfolio will follow these guidelines:

·         Contain all assignments required to complete the project (See attached list of items in portfolio section)

·         Contain all required forms signed by the appropriate person{s)

·         Contain the product self-evaluation that explains detailed student reflection of the process

·         Be organized according to the portfolio requirements (See attached list)

The Presentation will follow these guidelines:

·         Present a 6-9 minute speech on research paper and product

·         Maintain a professional demeanor

·         Present in front of community/school panel of judges who will score the speech using approved rubrics

·         Incorporate a visual aid

·         Videotapes used as a visual must not exceed the allotted time

English IV teachers will follow these grading guidelines:

1^st Nine Weeks - Paper 40%, Paper Process (deadlines, forms, signatures, etc.) 10%
2^nd Nine Weeks -- Product 20%, Portfolio 10%, Presentation 10%

·          Students must show proficiency in all components as outlined by rubric standards or participate in required
remediation

·         All components must be completed in order

Important Note: Not completing any component of the Graduation Project will result in failure of the course and failure
to meet Randolph County Graduation Requirements.

Student Responsibilities: Meet all deadlines, follow all guidelines, successfully complete all 4 components in order-
Paper, Product, Portfolio, and Presentation. Inform English teacher or GP Coordinators know of any problems.

Parent Responsibilities: Help coach student through the process, approve of topic, approve of mentor, approve of
product, provide or arrange transportation to and from mentor visits for the student, ensure the credibility of student
work, and contact the school if questions or concerns arise.

Mentor Responsibilities: Abide by the code of ethics, work with the student to produce a credible product
representative of at least 15 hours of work, evaluate the student's final product, and contact the school if questions or
concerns arise.

GP Topics:

Topics are not allowed when they are too dangerous (ex-riding bulls), illegal (ex-making moonshine), or not allowed on
campus (ex-building a rifle from a kit). Topics that are extremely expensive have been denied pending written approval
of a parent/guardian. Other than these reasons, NO TOPIC IS OFF LIMITS! We want students to "think out of the box."
We also want them to choose something that they have a passion or desire to learn more about so they will not lose
interest in the project and the student will have the internal motivation necessary to complete the project with little
assistance from anyone other than the mentor who is the expert on the topic.

Timeline for Graduation Project Spring Semester 2012