Graduation Projects Class of 2010

Graduation Projects Class of 2010 CLEVELAND COUNTY SCHOOLS Diploma Requirements for the Class of 2010 Students in grade 9 in 2006-2007 for the first time Students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2006-2007 and beyond and who follow the Career Preparation, College Technical Preparation, or College University Preparation courses of study will be required to meet the following state requirements in order to receive a high school diploma: Pass five End-of-Course tests (Pass = Earn an Achievement Level III or IV score). 1.English I 2.Algebra I 3.Civics and Economics 4.Biology 5.U. S. History •Successfully complete a •graduation project using •state-adopted rubrics (guidelines.) •Pass the North Carolina Computer Skills Test (Passing score = 150. •Pass North Carolina Competency Test of Reading or 8th grade Reading EOG (Pass = Earn an Achievement Level III or IV score). •Pass North Carolina Competency Test of Math or 8th grade Math EOG (Pass = Earn an Achievement Level III or IV score). RESEARCH PAPER What is a research paper? • The research paper will be an 6-10 page paper, written by you on a topic you choose, based on facts that you have gathered through research. • You will use primary sources, secondary sources, written sources, and electronic sources to develop your paper. What is a research paper? • Your paper will be completed over time during your eleventh grade English class. • You will list sources in a bibliography and cite them throughout the paper in a style called “MLA.” This style will be introduced to you in English class. Research begins: Study the Topic Research Starts in the Media Center Research all Types of Literary Sources Research includes Relevant Discussions with Experts Research Papers get Recommendations from Teachers Research from Mentors and Experts Research includes Internet Material Research the Web Plagiarism Plagiarism is taking credit for someone else’s words and/or ideas without properly crediting or documenting the source. All forms of plagiarism are equally serious. A plagiarized research paper is cause for receiving no credit for the research paper. PORTFOLIO Putting Your Best Foot Forward PORTFOLIO •A portfolio is a record of all of your work toward completing your Graduation Project. Think of it in terms of a scrapbook, or a travel log, a demonstration of your best work. •A portfolio provides the judges with a first hand look at your project while establishing a first impression of you. PORTFOLIO • A portfolio should be neat, organized, complete, creative, attractive, interesting. • A portfolio should employ technology when appropriate and demonstrate proof of the learning stretch you encountered as you completed your graduation project. PORTFOLIO •A portfolio should contain a table of contents, research paper, reflective writings, photographs, correspondence, documents, creations, anything that depicts your journey through the graduation project. •A portfolio requires you to collect and organize documentation over a three year period as you develop your graduation project. Portfolios include Project Selection Portfolios include Mentor Information Portfolios include Logs/Journals Portfolios include Reflections Portfolios include the Research Paper Portfolios often Document Project with Photos Portfolios include Additional Material In Conclusion The Graduation Project begins in earnest during your sophomore year and concludes before Graduation