North Carolina
Graduation Project
An overview of the
GP process at WHS
What is the purpose of the GP?
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Promotes the learning and skills needed to be
successful in college, the world of work, and as
life-long learners.
Encourages community members to get involved
with the education of all students.
Make students “stretch,” meaning students will
go beyond prior knowledge and work toward a
goal in which they have a passion.
What is the purpose of the GP?
cont.
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Provides a multi-disciplinary assessment, that
allows them freedom, unlike performance based
tests.
Students gain confidence and self-esteem
needed for success in our ever-changing world.
The value of learning is reinforced, and students
will be able to “show-off” their hard work.
Components of the GP
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An MLA-STYLED RESEARCH PAPER— 5-7 pages
(standard), 7-10 pages (honors), or 10-12 pages (AP)
using 1 source per page (varies by teacher)
A PRODUCT—an extension of your research requiring
students to work with a community mentor.
A PORTFOLIO—compiling & showcasing a student’s work
through written and photographic evidence throughout
the GP process
A PRESENTATION—10-12 minutes in length for 3-4
community judges at the conclusion of English IV.
Some Restrictions…
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Must be student generated.
Must be of sufficient depth to reflect extensive
study and learning.
Must be approved by the academic advisor and
parents/guardian.
Must show evidence of knowledge gained in the
completion of the research.
Should not require large monetary expenditures.
The Research Paper
Completed during the junior year. Appropriate topics will
 be of genuine interest to you
 be a learning stretch
 not be immoral, illegal, or contrary to WCS policies
 be approved by parents
 have 5-7 sources of available research
 be worthy of a 5-7 page paper, preferably with 3-4 specific areas for
development
 have available experts who are willing to serve as mentors
 lend themselves to a feasible product
 not be a “how to”
 be approved by the WHS steering committee
The Product--Requirements
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Must be a learning stretch
Must reflect a minimum of 15 hours. (This
may include fieldwork time learning the skill as well
as time creating the actual product.)
Must be created with the assistance of an approved
mentor
Must illustrate a connection to paper topic
and research
Must demonstrate a connection to the real world.
The Product—What is it?
A product can be a physical creation
 build a guitar
 make a documentary
 create blueprints for a house
 develop a business plan
 write a children’s book
 plan, organize, and manage a large
fundraising event
The Product—What is it?
A product can be an earned certification
that meets the 15 hour requirement
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SCUBA Certification
Fire Safety Level I Certification
Motorcycle Driver’s License Certification
Hospice Volunteer Certification
Red Cross Emergency Response Certification
The Product—What is it?
A product can be a demonstration of an
acquired skill to a third party
 Take salsa dancing lessons and demonstrate
your skills to a girl scout troop
 Learn how to prepare sushi and hold a
sushi tasting party
 Learn how to play the guitar and perform a
song for your church
The Product—How do I show proof
of accomplishment?
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Certifications and many physical products can
be brought directly to school
All demonstrations of acquired skills must
be documented on video or in photographs
Videos, electronic presentations (Powerpoint, etc.), trifold boards, and/or scrapbooks may be used for some
products (ex: lesson, fundraiser, interior
design, volunteerism, etc.)
What is NOT a product?
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Visual presentation of research
Simplistic visual aids, such as pamphlets, Powerpoints,
tri-folds, etc. (These items can enhance a product and
may prove a product but cannot be the product.)
Something generated by a paid position or other
class assignments
Documentation of job shadowing/mentor work
Some Example Research Topics to
Products by Subject
Dance
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A student analyzed the life and style of dancer and
choreographer Martha Graham and the relationship to
women in the arts, and how she expressed the American
experience in her choreography.
Her product was an original student-choreographed work
in Graham’s style based on themes of contemporary
American life.
English as a Second Language
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A student researched the effects of immigration to the
US on children.
The student then volunteered time as a youth director at
a local organization to help develop a program to assist
teenage immigrants in adjusting to their new community
and country
Mathematics/Computers
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A student designed and built a deck according to a
designed draft after researching local regulations and
building techniques.
A student explored the use of online games as a tool for
learning. After researching and taking lessons in game
design, student developed games for students to use to
prepare for summative assessments.
Music
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A student researched how music records and reflects
historical and political events.
The product was an original musical composition aligned
with the current war in Iraq, expressed a personal
political statement about the student’s experience,
feeling, and hopes.
Some examples of some local
product ideas
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Quilting
Gardening/Landscaping
Restoring Vehicles/Antiques
Various Types of Photography
What will this cost?
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The Graduation Project should not be expensive!
Some students choose topics and products that require
additional expenses. Spending extra money is NOT a
requirement.
The Graduation Project can be successfully completed
with little to no cost.
Any financial hardships should be reported immediately
to the Guidance Counselors at your high school so they
can possibly assist the students.
The Presentation—What is it?
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Speech (10-12 minutes)
Speech given to a panel of community judges and/or
teachers.
Use of technology is strongly encouraged (Audio/Visual
aids).
Question & answer session with the judges will follow
presentation.
The Portfolio—What is it?
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Students will keep an ongoing portfolio documenting
work & time spent on the GP.
A list of the required pieces & their due dates will be
given during your senior English class
Two parts of the Portfolio, the Letter of Intent & the
Research Paper, will be completed during the student’s
junior year.
Anything related to the completion of the project will go
into the portfolio, including a final copy of the students’
research papers.
What can parents do to help?
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Review the Graduation Project requirements &
sign required forms.
Talk with your student about the Graduation Project.
Pay attention to the timeline to assist your student with
meeting deadlines.
Offer guidance with topic selection.
Pay attention to cost, time constraints & transportation
issues.
What can parents do to help?
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Know and approve of your students mentor.
Routinely access the school’s Graduation
Project webpage.
Offer support to your student while he or she is writing
the paper, creating the product, building
the portfolio and practicing for the presentation.
Encourage your student to partner with an in-house
advisor (if applicable)
What if I enroll into WHS late?
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The Graduation Project and its elements are still
required.
1. Students enrolled at the beginning of their senior year are
still required to complete the full Graduation Project requirements.
Students may use a research paper from their previous school provided
it earned a score of a C or better.
2. If there is no previous paper, students are expected to
write a minimum five page research paper to use as the baseline for
their Graduation Projects/Presentation. Students are expected to seek
help from a faculty member on writing their paper if needed.
What if I enroll into WHS late?
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The Graduation Project and its elements are still
required.
1. If the student enrolls late into the spring semester, the
student will be asked to complete a scaled-down version of the paper
and project that will be determined by the student’s English teacher.
That teacher will also be expected to inform the project judges as well.
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 (11-12)
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Includes Letter of Intent, Research Paper, 3 Reflections, &
misc. forms from the handbook as documentation
Create a PRODUCT (at home)
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Topic of interest/Essential Question
Something that can demonstrate a TANGIBLE learning
process of paper topic
Do a PRESENTATION (Semester of Sr. Eng.)
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Describe all four parts to a panel of judges
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.
Questions?