Bedford Area School District

Transcription

1 Bedford Area School District Graduation Project Student Guidelines

2 Dear Student, In order to help students be prepared for their next steps in life, all students graduating from the Bedford Area School District must complete a culminating project. Students will complete a project that encompasses many diverse options. This project will conclude with an exit interview. The project will consist of career exploration preparing you to pursue your future endeavors. Many of the required items will be embedded within the curriculum of your classes. We have provided you with more flexibility in your junior and senior years to allow for exploration of any career interests you may pursue when you graduate. The purpose of this manual is for you and your parent/guardian to review to ensure a better understanding of the project by including specific details and procedures. We encourage you to explore various career options as you develop your portfolio, and reflect back on the portfolio components as you continue through your high school career. An exit interview will be a part of the culminating project. The exit interview will take place with a panel of teachers, administrators, and guidance staff in your senior year. The purpose of the exit interview is to analyze the evidence of the work you have completed for the project and to articulate the reasons why you explored particular areas of interest. Additionally, interviewing is an essential skill that will benefit you in the future. We believe this process will be beneficial for your growth. If you have questions please contact the high school office or guidance office. Sincerely, Bedford High School Staff

3 Sophomore Year During your English 10 or Accelerated English 10 course you will be exposed to education and career planning websites that will be used in writing a paper. The websites may include but may not be limited to: or This paper will address where you see yourself in five years. The paper will be turned in during the Spring of the year. If you do not take English during your sophomore year in the high school (You are cyber schooled and take e2020.) you should contact the school for the rubric to use to write your paper. YOU SHOULD KEEP AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THIS PAPER FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. WE RECOMMEND SAVING THE PAPER AS A GOOGLE DOC.

4 Junior Year Beginning your Junior year students may begin and must complete any five of the following options below: 1. Complete a job shadow with reflection. After completing the job shadow fill out the Job Shadow Reflection Form found on the school website. Make the reflection available for your exit interview. 2. Complete the ASVAB test and have a copy of your scores available for your exit interview a. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. As an aptitude test, the ASVAB measures your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success. The ASVAB also provides you with career information for various civilian and military occupations and is an indicator for success in future endeavors whether you choose to go to college, vocational school, or a military career. A military recruiter can help to schedule you to take the test. 3. Education Planner Career Planning 1. Career Planning Checklists 2. Find Careers 3. Explore Salary and Pay Self Assessments 1. What kind of student are you? 2. What s your learning style? 3. Which study habits can you improve? 4. How strong is your character? Preparing for school 1. Download What to Look for in a School: A Checklist, complete and include in your reflection 2. Complete list of 5-10 things you are looking for in a postsecondary institution and then: a. Complete College Matchmaker Write a one-page reflection on what you learned by doing the assignments on Education Planner. This reflection should be available during your exit interview. 4. PA Career Zone Create an account Assessments 1. Quick Assessment 2. Interest Profiler 3. Skills Profiler 4. Work Importance Profiler

5 5. Complete a journal entry summarizing what you learned from completing the previous four assessments and educationplanner.org Explore Job Families 1. Research several job family clusters After researching job families, select three and research fields of study in those families you would need if you would decide to pursue these occupations Write a one-page reflection on what you learned by doing the assignments on PA Career Zone. This reflection should be available during your exit interview. 5. Take the SAT, ACT, or PSAT. Include a copy of your results for your exit interview. 6. Visit a post-secondary institution and complete the Post-Secondary Visit Student Reflection Form. This form should be available during your exit interview. 7. Attend the post-secondary training with parent/guardian sponsored by BHS with a PHEAA representative. This occurs each January. It is understood that students attending this workshop will not meet the January 1 st deadline. Students who attend should get a paper signed by the guidance counselor confirming their attendance. 8. Attend the College & Career Fair or a College & Technical Fair and then complete the College/Career Fair Reflection Form. This form should be available during your exit interview. 9. Take a SAT prep course and provide a paper signed by your instructor of completion of the course. 10. Volunteer and provide five hours of community service and then complete the Community Service Verification Form. This form should be available during your exit interview. These items should be completed by January 1 st of your senior year.

6 Grade 12 Cover Letter/Resume This should be available during your exit interview Will be assigned and assessed in English class o Students who are taking English virtually should contact the school to get the requirements for this assignment Exit reflection paper o This paper will be 3-5 pages in length. o Will be assigned and assessed in English Class Paper requirements will be given by English teachers o Students who are taking English virtually should contact the school to get the requirements for this assignment Exit Interview The purpose of the interview is for students to: Practice interview skills Communicate to the interview committee their future plans Analyze and evaluate the opportunities provided by the Bedford Area School District Provide feedback to the high school on the effectiveness of the career portfolio Other items to consider: Register to vote Complete Selective Service paperwork Complete NCAA Clearinghouse application (division I or II student-athletes) Attend FAFSA workshop sponsored by BHS Apply for BHS Scholars Program if applicable

7 Bedford High School Graduation Project Checklist Five of the following items should be completed by January 1 st of your senior year: Date Completed Project Requirement Complete a job shadow experience and fill out the job shadow reflection form found on the website Take the ASVAB test, which is a requirement for military careers. Provide a copy of your scores for your exit interview. Use and write a one page reflection based on what you learned from doing assignments in Career Planning, Self Assessments, and Preparing for School Use and write a one page reflection after researching job families and fields of study you would need if you decided to pursue those occupations Take SAT, ACT, or PSAT. Provide a copy of your scores for your exit interview. Visit a post-secondary school and fill out the Post-Secondary Visit Student Reflection Form Attend the PHEAA workshop hosted each January at BHS Make sure the guidance counselor confirms your attendance Attend a College and Career Fair or a College and Technical Fair. Complete the College/Career Fair Documentation Form. Take a SAT prep course and provide a paper signed by your instructor of completion of the course. Volunteer five hours of community service and then complete the Community Service Form. IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THESE ITEMS BY JANUARY 1 st YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR COUNSELOR FOR ASSISTANCE During your senior year you must: Date Completed Senior year project requirement Create a cover letter. Students needing assistance should see a Business teacher or an English teacher Create a resume. Students needing assistance should see a Business teacher or an English teacher Write a 3-5 page paper per the rubric created by the 12 th grade English teacher. If you do not take English with the 12 th grade English teacher you should see him/her to get the rubric to write your paper. Successfully complete your exit interview. The exit interview usually occurs in April, but is announced well in advance by the school. It is your responsibility to submit paperwork demonstrating you completed five items from above, your cover letter, your resume, and your senior 3-5 page paper. Students should be dressed appropriately for their interview.