by Jeffrey Javier

The Arizona Republic

Dec. 21, 2009

PEORIA - Some Centennial High School seniors have participated in a new pilot program meant to provide rigor and relevancy in their final year.

THE SENIOR GRADUATION PROJECT

Seniors in honors English classes were required to participate in the Senior Graduation Project, a pilot program developed by senior English teachers and Principal Jim Davis.

Davis said the program is designed to give students a "capstone" experience that will build skills for post-secondary success.

"It will give seniors a chance to explore their passions and develop a research project and product of their choice," he said.

The students are required to write a minimum six-page research paper, make a seven- to 10-minute presentation before a panel of judges and spend 20 hours with a mentor in their research field.

Davis said the project will teach students how to manage their time and problem-solve on their own.

WHAT HAPPENED

The students started their projects at the beginning of the school year. Most were surprised that they had to complete the project and some wanted to drop the course.

Amber Cordell was one of several students who didn't like the idea.

"I was not looking forward to it, because it looked like it would take a lot of work," she said.

Cordell did her project on respiratory therapy because she wants to become a nurse. After some time working on her project and with her mentor, she started to enjoy it.

"It became really interesting and fascinating," she said. "I now have no regrets for taking the class."

THE PROJECTS

Each project was completely different, ranging from T-shirt screening to the Apostle Paul.

Katarina Vargas did her research project on retail management and a manager at an Old Navy clothing store was her mentor. She experienced everything there was about how to manage the store and employees.

She was also able to experience "Black Friday" from the manager's point of view.

Vargas said that after spending time with her mentor, she decided that retail management would not be her career of choice.

"I like the program, because it gave me a chance to experience something that was outside the classroom and in the real world," she said.

WHAT'S NEXT

Cindy Parker, a senior English teacher, said school staf will look at all the results from this year's participating seniors and talk about what to change.

Many of the students were challenged with the little time afforded them to complete the project. Some found it hard to find a mentor and others thought the required time to shadow a mentor was too much.

"We are thinking about expanding the project into the junior year so that students will have enough time to work on their research and writing," Parker said.

She added that eventually, all senior-level English students will participate in the Senior Graduation Project.

"But we still have a lot of work between now and then to refine the program," she added.