1. The Senior Project is a required course with a grade of seventy (70) passing. All required hours must be completed and mandatory student forms returned to the Senior Project Committee to pass the Senior Project. All projects must be approved by the Senior Project Advisory Committee and be in agreement with the Federal Child Labor Laws.
2. All Vocational Education and Work Experience students will participate in Marple Newtown's Senior Project. The student will report to any presently held employment after working on the Project at the sponsor site.
3. All seniors are required to participate in the Senior Project. This includes seniors who are not scheduled to graduate since this is the only time that the course is offered.
4. The student will participate in the Project for a total of seventy-eight (78) hours from May 19 to June 6, 2008. The hours spent with the Faculty Advisor, presenting the Oral Presentation and at school-required activities are included in the total hours, while time spent commuting to and from the sponsor site on a daily basis is not included in the total hours.
5. Parent's or Guardian's may not be sponsors.
6. The student will not be paid for the Project. A student will fail the Senior Project if it is revealed that he/she is receiving payment for participation.
7. Any employment presently held by the student will not be considered as fulfillment of Project requirements. The Project employment will be in a different career cluster than any concurrent employment. The student will report to any concurrent employment after working on the Project at the sponsor site.
8. The student will select a Faculty Advisor and is encouraged to select one from a senior dominated class (greater than 70%), although any faculty member or administrator can be an advisor. If the student cannot find a Faculty Advisor, one will be appointed. The Authorization / Release for Participation and Faculty Advisor Selection form is due February 27, 2008 and is to be returned to any of the following teachers: Mr. Andrews, Dr. Itzko, Mrs. Ricks, or Mr. McCormick. For each school day that the Authorization / Release for Participation and Faculty Advisor Selection form is late, one (1) point will be deducted from the student's final grade.
9. In the Selection Phase, starting February 20 and finishing April 4, 2008, the student selects a Faculty Advisor, develops the Project's goals and proposal, and contacts a community sponsor within the student's area of interest who will oversee the student during the three-week Project. The sponsor works with the student to create a suitable working environment for the Project. In creating a working environment for the student, it is key for the sponsor to include activities that provide the student with a meaningful insight into their chosen area. The Senior Project Proposal/Sponsor Agreement forms are to be returned to the Faculty Advisor on April 4, 2008 . For each school day that the Senior Project proposal and the Sponsor Agreement form are late, one (1) point will be deducted from the student's final grade.
10.
For students who have concerns or questions relating to the Senior
Project, the Senior Project Committee will be available to meet with students
from 8 AM to 11 AM to address these issues.
Additionally at this time, students who have completed their Senior
Project Proposal will have the opportunity for early submission of their
proposal. Students who submit their
proposals early will have the required number of Senior Project hours reduced
according to the following format; April 1 reduced by six (6) hours, April 2
reduced by four (4) hours, and April 3 reduced by two (2) hours.
11. The student records the daily experiences of the Project in a journal, which is presented in the weekly meetings with the Faculty Advisor. The journal will be used to prepare the outline for the Oral Presentation.
12. All absences must be documented by a doctor’s note during the three-week Project.
13. During the first two weeks of the Project (May 19 to May 30, 2008), the student will meet with the Faculty Advisor at least once per week to assess the student’s progress in the Project and to review the journal. Five points will be deducted from the student's final grade for each missed meeting.
14. The student will develop a written outline separate from note cards that will be presented to the Evaluation Committee prior to the Oral Presentation. Refer to the Outline guide for complete directions.
15. The student will make a twenty-minute Oral Presentation to the Evaluation Committee from June 3 to 6, 2008 summarizing his/her experiences by reflecting upon his/her goals. The student must select a time slot for the Oral Presentation with the appropriate Senior Project committee member before the last day of class. A grade of at least twenty (20) on the Oral Presentation and an overall grade of seventy (70) must be obtained in order to pass the Senior Project. The Oral Presentation must be at least fifteen (15) minutes in length. A grade of less than twenty (20) points will require the presentation to be revised and repeated. If, for any reason, a student chooses not to complete the Oral Presentation, the student will not be eligible to graduate since the presentation is 40% of the grade. Refer to the Oral Presentation guide for complete directions.
16. Evaluation of the Senior Project will be based on six factors: Faculty Advisor Evaluation (10 pt.), student’s journal (10 pt.), sponsor evaluation (25 pt.), a student/ parent questionnaire (5 pt.), student’s outline (10 pt.), and the Oral Presentation (40 pt.). A grade of 70 is passing. Prior to giving the Oral Presentation, the student must present to the Evaluation Committee the completed journal, a sponsor evaluation, a student/ parent questionnaire, and an outline of the Oral Presentation. Five points will be deducted from the final grade for each missing form, and he/she will not be eligible to graduate until all forms are returned to the committee.
17. Throughout the three-week period of the project, the sponsor site is an extension of the school and subject to the same attendance regulations. Attendance at the sponsor site is considered the same as school attendance. Unscheduled absences from the sponsor will be considered truancy. In such cases, the home and school visitor will be immediately contacted and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with school rules.
18. The Senior Project is offered once per school year. Therefore, a student who must repeat the course will be required to complete the Senior Project the following school year.
19. Throughout the Project, all school rules and regulations will be in effect. The advisor, along with the Senior Project Advisory Committee, will evaluate each student’s participation throughout the Project. The Advisory Committee reserves the right to withdraw the student from the Senior Project at any time due to any violation of the rules. A student who is withdrawn from the Project will fail the course and therefore not graduate with the class. The student will return to school and resume a modified schedule. The student must complete and pass the Project prior to be awarded a diploma from Marple Newtown High School.
20. All decisions relating to the Senior Project will be made in consultation with the Senior Project Advisory Committee.
21. Direct and effective communication is the most reliable method for a successful Senior Project. If at any time or for whatever reason a student encounters a problem or a situation where he/she feels additional guidance is needed, immediately notify Mr. McCormick (Phone: 610.359.4200x3056, E-mail: rmccormick@mnsd.org). Timely communication can help prevent any adverse consequences.
overview timeline regulations journal oral presentation outline rubric grading
sponsor information student forms e-mail home