Graduation Project Revisions OK'd for Tennent

In order to graduate from William Tennent High School, students will need to complete college preparatory tasks throughout their high school career under graduation project revisions approved recently.

The Centennial School Board adopted the changes, which are applicable beginning with the class of 2014, at its meeting last week. 

Assistant Superintendent Joyce Mundy said that in the past, the graduation project was "largely completed during a required class."

"We are moving this from the class to an independent process for students that is supported by our faculty and administration," Mundy said. "The plan allows our process to be scaffolded over the four years with the development of core artifacts for career and college readiness."

Under the new criteria, ninth-graders would need to pass computer applications. Then, in 11th-grade, students have a counselor meeting, implement a timeline for the college process, think about recommendation letters, explore career areas and work on building a resume and career and college readiness. Seniors would need to upload a college essay, as well as a post-secondary application including either a job, college, tech school or military application. 

The high school's graduation project revisions were created by a team of teachers, administrators and guidance counselors at the high school, according to Mundy. The changes align with the state's new Chapter four Graduation Requirements.  

"We are very excited because the steps that are delineated progressively prepare students for post-secondary experiences in an incremental way using digital portfolios and clear benchmarks," she said.