Senior Project Proposal Forms/Process
DENIED-Does not necessarily mean a denial of the topic, but rather a denial of the student’s written
explanation of the proposed topic.
Research Paper Description:
 It is not clear what student is proving.
 What student is attempting to prove cannot be proven. In this case, a denied is a denial of the topic.
 Topic does not pose an argument.
 Academic, scholarly research is unable to prove students’ topic.
 No credible, annotated source is attached to proposal form.
Fieldwork Description:
 There is no clear fieldwork plan.
 Fieldwork is not feasible.
 There is no description of a proof of project that student will create. Students may not conduct surveys, nor
can they merely observe or only volunteer. There must be a tangible proof of project.
 Fieldwork does not connect to the proposed research paper description.
 Fieldwork is unsafe.
Learning Stretch:
 No clear learning stretch.
 Student does not present evidence of foreseen personal, emotional and/or intellectual growth.
 Topic is in a field, sport or activity that student has a high level of experience or involvement. For example,
senior cheerleaders cannot volunteer to be a JV cheer coach here at Pioneer High School.
PENDING
 Acceptable research paper description, acceptable fieldwork description and credible, annotated source are
attached. No mentor is provided.
 Mentor is provided but unacceptable fieldwork OR research paper description.
 Two out of the three proposal form sections are completed and acceptable.
APPROVED
Research Paper Description:
 Clear what student is proving.
 What student is attempting to prove can be proven.
 Topic poses an argument.
 Academic, scholarly research is available to prove students’ topic.
 Credible and annotated source is attached to proposal form.
Fieldwork Description:
 Clear fieldwork plan.
 Fieldwork is feasible.
 Fieldwork proof of project is clearly explained.
 Fieldwork connects to the proposed research paper description.
 Fieldwork is safe.
Learning Stretch:
 Clear learning stretch.
 Student presents evidence of foreseen personal, emotional and/or intellectual growth.
 Topic is not in a field, sport or activity that student has a high level of experience or involvement. For
example, senior cheerleaders cannot volunteer to be a JV cheer coach here at Pioneer High School.
APPROVED PAPER TOPIC ONLY
Research Paper Description:
 Clear what student is proving.
 What student is attempting to prove can be proven.
 Topic poses an argument.
 Academic, scholarly research is available to prove students’ topic.
 Credible and annotated source is attached to proposal form.
IF student meets the above requirement for paper topic approval, but does not have a mentor or he or she is deficient
in any of the other proposal areas, he or she will receive an overall PENDING but will be given the green light to
begin his or her paper. Please write OKAY TO START PAPER next to the paper description and then write pending
in the upper right hand corner.
Important: On all proposals, please provide feedback. Positive comments along with constructive feedback for
students who need to adjust research paper, fieldwork and/or learning stretch. Please be specific since students will
refer to your comments when he or she is revising his or her pending or denied proposal.