The Product or Performance. This stage requires students to create some product that applies the knowledge gained during the research stage.

• The product or performance must be done on time
• It must be challenging enough to require at least 15 hours of independent work—guided and verified by a mentor with expertise in the area
• Products can be tangible, such as a refurbished piece of furniture or equipment
• They may also be less tangible, such as tutoring an individual or teaching a class

The Presentation. The presentation is the final stage of the Senior Project. It is the culmination not only of a full semester’s work, but the final requirement needed to complete 12 years of education.

• Students must deliver their presentations before a selected panel of community and faculty judges (a group of their peers will also be present)
• The presentation must be eight to 10 minutes long
• The focus of the speech is the Senior Project experience
• Students must be able to answer any questions judges may have

English teachers at North Salem are charged with preparing students for and guiding them through the Senior Project. They also are responsible for recruiting and training judges who participate in the project. Much of curriculum in 12th grade English is geared toward the Senior Project. Teachers assist students in all aspects of the project. They provide information on effective research writing techniques and library search strategies connect them with experts to guide the work of their products, provide examples of presentations, and listen to them practice their presentations. Because the English teachers are so intensely involved with the seniors and their projects, they do not participate in judging at any phase.

What is especially striking about the Senior Project is its inclusiveness. Regardless of ability level, all students are expected to complete it. The standard is not lowered for anyone. This is not to say that it doesn’t take some students longer, or that teachers don’t assist some more than others. Staff has arranged translators to convert research papers to English just to ensure the successful completion of a project. Their goal is for every student, not just the majority, to successfully complete all three phases of the project. With the full support of the community, the success rate of the project has been extremely high. In the two years that the Senior Project has been a graduation requirement, only one of 470 students has failed to pass it.

For further information about adopting the Senior Project, contact Carleen Osher or Jane Summers of Far West Edge at 541-770-9483.

Keys to Success

• Enlist the support of parents and the rest of the community
• Communicate critical dates and requirements to all parents and students
• Designate a community coordinator to find judges and mentors, and to maintain document files; this person may be hired from outside the school; he or she can be a teacher who is released for one period per day
• Ensure support and participation from the staff

Observed Outcomes

• The Senior Project makes students accountable for their learning, and it makes the school accountable to the public
• Students experience a deep sense of unity and pride as they work together to accomplish the goals of the Senior Project
• The project helps to strengthen school-community relations as community members become involved with North Salem seniors in a meaningful way as resources and mentors
• Students stay involved in productive learning right up to the last day of school
• Students begin to recognize the resources and job opportunities available in their community