Date of Award

9-2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Graduate Education

First Advisor

Dave Schelhaas

Abstract

This descriptive study researched the benefits of Senior Projects as a culminating activity during the senior year of high school. The anecdotal evidence shows that Senior Projects help keep students motivated and interested during the final semester of their high school years. More importantly, this paper focused on the impact that a Senior Project program has at fulfilling a school's mission statement. Eighty-six students at Calvin Christian School in Escondido, California were surveyed regarding the school's mission statement; a high percentage felt that the mission statement was being fulfilled via extra-curricular activities (i.e., chapel, spiritual emphasis week) while a considerably lower percentage felt that the mission statement was being fulfilled through the curriculum.

During the last year, thirty-eight seniors performed a Senior Project that required them to write a research paper, propose a community project, and make a presentation. Following the Senior Projects, an exceptionally high percentage of students felt that the Senior Project helped to fulfill the school's mission statement.

The literature review examined a variety of different Senior Project programs across the country and highlighted a number of common characteristics of successful programs.

The results found that the documented Senior Project programs report positive anecdotal evidence, albeit superficial, i.e., increases student motivation and reduces "senioritis." However, all curricular programs need to be evaluated in light of the school's mission statement. The successful programs aw the superficial benefits, but they also need to evaluate the program based on a coherence with the school's mission statement.

Comments

Action Research Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Education

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