2. The Graduation Project is part of the English
curriculum that is now required for graduation and
must be completed successfully in order to receive a
high school diploma.
This NC Graduation Project gives students an
opportunity to demonstrate many of the skills they
have learned since entering school.
This performance-based assessment incorporates
21st century skills with other concepts.
Students select a topic of interest and pursue the
process through their junior and senior years.
3. FOUR COMPONENTS OF THE
GRADUATION PROJECT
Research paper (to be written in the
junior year)
o Length:
Academic 3-5 page minimum
Honors/AP 5-6 page minimum
o Sources:
Academic (4) – 1 print, 1 chart/graph, 2 electronic
Honors/AP (6) – 2 print, 1 chart/graph, 2 electronic, 1 additional
o Must be typed; double spaced (12 point Times New Roman)
o Must use MLA format
oWill count 25% of your 2nd or4th quarter
grade
4. FOUR COMPONENTS OF THE
GRADUATION PROJECT
Portfolio (To be completed in the senior
year)
oDocuments the process
oIncludes letters, paper, resume, evaluations,
reflections
oFirst impression to judges
o1 ½" white binder with creative cover
oMust include, in order, the listings in Table of
Contents
5. FOUR COMPONENTS OF THE
GRADUATION PROJECT
Product (To be completed in the senior
year)
oRequires a minimum of 15 hours with a mentor
oMust be documented through photos, video,
journal entries, etc.
oMust have a positive impact on the community
or be a valuable item
oIs not just a brochure or poster
oMust be an extension of the research
6. FOUR COMPONENTS OF THE
GRADUATION PROJECT
Presentation (To be presented in their senior
year)
oIncludes information about the entire process
oRequires using technology (PowerPoint, video, etc.)
oIs presented to a panel of 4-5 judges
o 8-10 minutes in length (with time for questions)
7. Students must adhere to all deadlines in turning
in all documents.
Students can choose his/her own faculty advisor
to help guide them through the process...let
them become their "best buddy."
Student must also choose a community mentor
who will help them in the completion of their
product.
8. CHOOSING A TOPIC:
Is the topic of personal interest to you?
Do you know enough about the topic to get started, but can still
benefit from further research?
Is the topic global enough to be researched but narrow enough to
allow time for depth?
Does the topic lend itself to the other components of the project?
The topic is engaging and provides a "learning stretch" for student-
is not something you already know a lot about-does this topic
offer you a challenge?
9. CHOOSING A TOPIC:
Do you have your parents' permission to pursue this
topic/product?
Can you find a community mentor to help you with this topic?
Think and rethink your topic-will it hold your interest for the
semester?
Can a product be developed from this topic?
11. PRODUCTS CAN BE…
Students should select a project that is interesting, fun, and
worthwhile.
There are several types of projects that meet the requirements for
the North Carolina Graduation Project.
NOTE: Students will have to have a tangible OR intangible product
to present to the review panel that is directly related to their
research paper and a long-term project.
Your project proposal must fit into one of the
following categories:
12. PRODUCTS CAN BE…
Physical project-a project that is created-
something that can be touched and seen.
o build or make something; such as a fashion outfit, a computer
program, a rebuilt engine, a model of a historical scene.
o Make a quilt
o Restore a piece of furniture
o Build a model house
o Write and illustrate a children's book
o Construct a robotic hand
o Design, create, and sell a T-shirt as a fundraiser for charity
13. PRODUCTS CAN BE:
Performance project-a project that requires
the student to do something like
acting, singing, teaching, coaching, or
directing.
o Perform a dance you have choreographed
o Perform a musical selection you have written
o Perform a magic show.
o Direct a play
o Create an original dance or musical arrangement
o Create an original CD in a sound studio
oDesign and publish a website
14. PRODUCTS CAN BE:
Written project
oWrite an original children's story
oCreate a book of original poetry
oWrite a series of newspaper articles and publish in a local paper
15. PRODUCTS CAN BE:
Career-Related project
o Shadow a police officer and write/speak about the experience to a specific
audience
o View and document medical procedures
o Volunteer at a local veterinarian's office
o Job shadow a teacher, nurse, or other professional job shadowing a
professional in the area you might wish to work, volunteering time at
a local office of some kind.
o Note: simplistic projects (like job shadowing without any application
beyond the job shadowing experience) are generally considered too
lightweight for a GRAD Project and are unacceptable unless some
measure of increased sophistication is applied.
16. PRODUCTS CAN BE:
Service project
o Organize a food drive
o Develop and implement an exercise program at a local senior center
o Volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, etc.
17. PRODUCTS CAN BE:
Physical experience
o Learn to sky dive
o Run a marathon
o Go on a wilderness survival trip.
o Take a Lifesaving course
18. Is This a Product?
YES NO
Raising catfish Making a PowerPoint about catfish
Producing a brochure and other
promotional items about Wallace and
distributing it through the Chamber of
Commerce
Making a brochure about Wallace
Building a generator Making a poster about how to build a
generator
Teaching music to children Explaining different kinds of music to
the judges
A series of game videos you yourself
shot as a service to the athletic
department
A video of a game shot by the coach’s
wife
19. Is This a Product?
YES NO
Learning how to install car speakers
and installing them in a friend’s car
Already knowing how to install
speakers and installing them in your
own car.
A web site you designed A poster about how to design a web
site
A brochure to recruit animal shelter
volunteers distributed throughout the
community
A brochure listing facts about cats
from your research paper
A PowerPoint** showing pictures of
you teaching reading to children
A PowerPoint on how to teach reading
** Power Points are NOT a product unto themselves. They may be part
of the presentation but do not replace a product.
