North Carolina
Graduation Project
An overview of the
GP process at FVHS
What is the purpose of the GP?
The GP is a statewide graduation
requirement that provides student
experience with the following 21st Century
skills:
Public Speaking
Written Language
Presentation
Technology
Community Involvement
Personal Responsibility
Personal Growth
GP Timeline for Students
9th Grade
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Student and family become familiar with the Graduation
Project process through Advisory and Parent Night
Students learn basic research skills in all subjects
Students practice oral presentation skills in all classes
Students complete an interest inventory
Students begin portfolio compilation with evidence of
skills learned/practiced (3 required components)
GP Timeline for Students
10th Grade
• Students choose and finalize their topic (must be a
learning stretch)
• Students write essential questions for Research Paper
• Students create a plan for product options (service
learning, job shadowing, internship, etc.)
• Students research potential mentor options
• Students continue to reinforce research, presentation,
and technology skills
• Students continue portfolio compilation
GP Timeline for Students
11th Grade
• Students successfully complete Research Paper
requirement
• Students secure a mentor for product options
and begin consultation to log hours
• Students practice oral presentation skills
• Students finalize product idea
• Students continue portfolio compilation
GP Timeline for Students
12th Grade
• Students will complete the Product, Presentation, and
Portfolio components of Graduation Project
• Students will present their entire Graduation Project to a
panel of judges
• Student projects will be scored using state-endorsed
rubrics
 Students will have gained useful skills for transitioning
into the college and/or university level and workplace
So in a nut shell students have to:
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Write a RESEARCH PAPER (Jr. Eng.)
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Compile a PORTFOLIO (9-12)
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Topic of interest/Essential Question
Includes 2 summaries, 2 MLA, 2 presentations, Interest
Inventory, Research Paper, misc. forms from the handbook
as documentation
Create a PRODUCT (at home/GP Lab 408)
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Shows learning process of paper topic
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Examples: Power point, Poster, Handmade object, Certificate
Do a PRESENTATION (Semester of Sr. Eng.)
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Describe all four parts to a panel of judges
Student Support
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Students will be assigned a faculty Advisor
upon entering the 9th grade at FVHS.
The Advisor will guide the student through the
GP process 9th-12th grade
Students are provided with a GP Handbook
outlining all GP requirements
Students can also secure a community mentor in
the field of interest to assist them in the
development of their project
9th Grade Advisors will:
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Introduce and explain the GP process
Distribute and review the FVHS GP
Handbook
Make sure to collect 1 summary, 1 MLA, 1
presentation, Interest Inventory
Serve as judges for presentations
10th Grade Advisors will:
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Make sure to collect 1 summary (2 total),
1 MLA (2 total), 1 presentation (2 total)
Facilitate student selection of topic and
development of essential questions
Collect and file completed topic approval
forms in student portfolios
Serve as judges for presentations
11th Grade Advisors will:
Confirm topic development and essential
questions, assist with research
 Assist students with finding and securing
a mentor
 Guide students with portfolio completion
 Serve as judges for presentations
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12th Grade Advisors will:
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Guide students with product development
Assist students with portfolio completion
Assist students with presentation
preparation (rehearsal and practice)
Serve as judges for presentations
Mentors
Your mentor must meet the following qualifications:
● The mentor must have documented knowledge and expertise in your
area of interest. This may include a college degree, business
ownership, employment in the area, or hands-on training.
● The mentor must agree to consult with you a minimum of five times
during the course of your research. This may include a face-to-face
meeting, a phone or electronic interview, job shadowing, and/or site
visitation. All time spent working with your mentor must be
recorded on the Mentor/Product Log.
● The mentor must be at least 21 years of age
● The mentor may not be a family member
EXCEPTION TO AGE/FAMILY MEMBER: Exception to either of these
requirements may be made with special approval from the Graduation
Project Committee. This request must be submitted in writing and must
include a rationale.
Details about the Four P’s
Paper
Product
Presentation
Portfolio
The GP Research Paper
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Will be completed during 11th grade English
Must be 8-10 pages long (in totality)
Must answer an essential question-not a report or how to
Must use MLA documentation
Must be purposeful, focused, and in-depth
Must involve appropriate research skills
Will be evaluated by a state wide rubric
The GP Product
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Should reflect a minimum of 15 hour
investment documented on Product Log
Should be an extension of Research Paper
Should be tangible (performance, demonstration,
experiment, etc.) or intangible (volunteering,
organizing, interning, etc.)
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Will be evaluated by a state wide rubric
The GP Portfolio
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Includes key documents
(2 summaries, 2 MLA, 2
presentations, Interest Inventory, checklists, rubrics)
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from each
year (9-12) delineating the process
Includes a final copy of research paper
Is a physical learning record
Shows student process and progress over the
years
Can be used for future job interviews
Will be evaluated by a state wide rubric
The GP Presentation
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Is a 7-10 minute formal presentation before a
panel of community and faculty members
Allows students to highlight work and learning
over time
Is a demonstration of public speaking skills
Is the delivery of accurate, credible information
on the topic
Will be evaluated by a state wide rubric
In summary…
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Every staff member has an important part to
play!
Know the GP process and share it cheerfully
with students and parents!
Remember to keep focused on the
STUDENTS-they’re counting on you!
In time, we’ll become as great at this as we
are at other things!
Questions?