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The dreaded Senior Project again approaches

One must wonder: Is it really worth all the fuss?


Monday, September 15, 2008 6:18 AM PDT

Comments (45 comment(s))

The Senior Project. If you have a child who is a high school senior, you are probably very aware of the Senior Project. (If you aren't aware of it, you had better ask your son or daughter about it.) If you are unfamiliar with the Senior Project, let me fill you in.

According to the Lodi Unified School District, the Senior Project is a student-driven project that among other things: demonstrates learning; requires responsibility in areas of time management and diligence in following through on a long-term project; involves the entire staff; requires research, oral communication skills, and a hands-on approach to learning; and is a culminating activity for 12 years of education. The Senior Project is so important that, beginning with the graduating classes of 2000, LUSD made it a graduation requirement.

Outstanding! I mean, what could be better than a comprehensive research project where a student is required to demonstrate not only knowledge, but is also able to apply it in the real world and then prepare an oral presentation for a board of teachers and community members?

If the Senior Project was clearly this, it would be wonderful, but I don't think it is. As an example, the final research paper is due on Dec. 5, but there are three "safety nets" that really allow the paper to be presented as late as March 3. In addition to the "safety nets," a student that does not pass can return during the summer on a "drop-in basis" to complete it. Is this the real world? "Your project for work is due on Monday, but if you are not done, get it to me in three months. If that isn't long enough, get it to me when you can." Is that time management and diligence in following through?

A few weeks ago, I went to a parent orientation meeting for the Senior Project and there were so many people there that I thought they were giving something away. They actually had to move the meeting to a larger room. Great, parent involvement in education. Not a chance. These parents were not at the meeting to be involved but because they were concerned about, if not actually scared of, the Senior Project.

One father actually told me that he wasn't looking forward to the Senior Project, and he asked if I was worried about it and the time it was going to take. What? Hey, buddy, it's not your Senior Project, but your kid's, and you should let him do it.

Now, I am sure that most of the seniors in LUSD will work hard on the Senior Project, but is it really worth it? There are real costs to LUSD for the Senior Project. According to LUSD information, the cost is nearly $300,000 and about five people. That is a lot of money for a district that seems to be strapped for cash. I think that money would be better used for reading, math and science specialists at our grade schools.

Finally, if you are a parent of a high school senior, read the paperwork for the Senior Project carefully. One of the forms requires that you indemnify, defend and hold harmless LUSD against any and all claims, including court costs and attorney's fees, arising out of your child's participation in the Senior Project. In other words, if something goes wrong with your child's project and LUSD gets sued, you are on the hook for not only your bill but LUSD's, too. Yep, your kid has to do the Senior Project to graduate and you have to indemnify LUSD for them to do it. When you play baseball, do you indemnify LUSD against the foul ball that broke the windshield?

John Johnson, CFA, is a Lodi-based business appraiser. You can reach him at john@johnejohnson.com or at 369-1451.

Reader Feedback

educated reader wrote on Sep 21, 2008 11:58 PM:

" The Senior Project is just another example of the education system feeding on itself. "Requirements" are established that, under the guise of promoting organization, writing and creative skills for students, are actually mechanisisms for the district to pay people (teachers, advisors and classified employees) to run the program. Classic examples are the CBEST and WPST exams that prospective teachers are required to pass. They are tests of basic skills that anyone who has taken an academic high school program could pass. The catch? It's a "requirement" and the "testing services" charge a FEE to administer them. What do they prove? Nothing! If the senior project was so valuable and produced such outstanding examples of student achievement (which should be the goal) 100% of students completing a project would qualify for attendance (at a minimum) at a State university.

It's time for education to exist for the students' benefit, not for the "system." "

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Neo wrote on Sep 21, 2008 11:34 AM:

" hi "

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dogbark wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:11 AM:

" You are unable to catch all the cheaters, especially when the parents and friends run interference. One kid hadn't done a project, and asked for an extension.
Then he and his friends changed shirts for various photos as they tore down an illegal skateboard ramp the cops had red tagged. By placing the photos in reverse order, and drawing up the 'plans' he added a narrative about 'building a ramp' that actually was over a year old.
Another who blew up his engine did the same thing; he dismantled the engine. Reversing the photos he had 'building an engine' as his project. "

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concerned teacher1 wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:52 AM:

" Lodian: You bring up a good point, and to tell you the truth, I don't know why they don't change the requirement to a different year. Even my principal has wondered about that, but unfortunately, we are tethered to the district's requirements. So this is what I figure: I can complain about it all year and my students won't get anything good out of the project, or I can present it in a positive light and hope that the students learn something worthwhile. I tell the kids that there are some flaws with the project, but that it's a good time to learn about something new before they head off to college. Most students take it seriously and get a great deal out of it, but this has just been my experience. "

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Lodian wrote on Sep 20, 2008 11:49 PM:

" concerned teacher1: Why can't the senior project become a freshman project for the same reasons you just listed? "

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concerned teacher1 wrote on Sep 20, 2008 10:29 AM:

" I am actually a senior project teacher who failed a student for cheating a few years ago--he did not graduate, and I did not lose my job. And while I will be the first to admit that there are problems with this project, many students get something beneficial out of it. More specifically, the students who put something meaningful into this project, get something out of it. In fact, I just ran into a former student who was scared to death of public speaking before the project, and he now has a job where he as to give presentations on a regular basis. He thanked me for all that I taught him. The same goes for the paper--a number of students have told me that the writing skills they were taught have now helped them with their college classes. I get that some students are lazy and simply aren't going to get much out of this project, but the one's who really take the opportunity to learn about something new--which are the majority of my students--seem to get a great deal out of the project. "

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Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Sep 20, 2008 8:44 AM:

" edumacation, it all sounds like a paranoid delusions coming from you. You never offer concrete examples or evidence, just a lot of vague accusations which aren't credible. Who got fired for giving a failing grade? Nobody. Who got fired for busting cheaters? Nobody. You just aren't credible. "

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leenygirl wrote on Sep 20, 2008 8:37 AM:

" As a member of the class of 2001 (the first class required to pass at Lodi High) I can say that for a lot of the students the project is just a waste of time. I was one of the few that bothered to take the thing seriously. I wrote a paper about children and divorce. My hands on time was spent working at Head Start. But for a lot of my class mates the project was a joke. If its taken seriously and seniors really want to learn and experience something then they will but a lot of students take the easy way out. For example one kid did his paper on In N Out burger and his hands on time was spent driving to different In N Out's across California. Now tell me how that will help in college? Another girl whose family owns and runs all of the Taco Bells in Lodi did her paper on Taco Bell. Now tell me how that is a "learning stretch?" "

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edumacation wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:39 PM:

" To Bob, well they have other "options" for them: Micromanagement, teacher improvement (liberal catechism), and they can make their lives hell. Examples I have seen: Assignments to read books by SEED, Trotsky, Marx and other edumacation gurus. You can not teach in Lodi, if you think outside of their little cubby hole. Repeat after me 100 times: "All children are the same". LOL Thars edumacation Lodi style; One size fits all but only if its medicocre and NON competitive. The pursuit of inactivity and lack of effort to "meet the needs" of the Lowest Common Denominator is the common GOAL. Hey kids don't try, lazy kids might not feel good about themselves. Lets all talk about our feelings. "

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edumacation wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:27 PM:

" Yes Bob, but the administrator can send them to a miserable assignmment, capiche! Of course the personnel department is the REAL boss of the district (whence came the millionaire interim Superintendent?). Ask any principal; they are terrified unless related to a GOB. Personnoids (rhymes with hemorrhoids) have their strange ways to punish effective teachers who park in the wrong spot. Watch out! Are the fleas on the dogs tail in charge? "

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Bob Loblaw wrote on Sep 18, 2008 1:15 PM:

" edumacation: no teacher, tenured or probationary, is going to get fired for giving a failing grade. Do you know how hard it is to fire a teacher? They pretty much have to commit a felony to be fired immediately, otherwise it takes years of documented proof of incompetence. "

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edumacation wrote on Sep 18, 2008 12:26 PM:

" Google is similar, but won't show where each sentence was lifted like www.turnitin.com These folks identify each phrase or sentence and its source. LOL

Did you fail the two cheaters? I bet not. I have never heard of an LUSD student getting a FAILING grade for cheating. When I was in school, it was an offense that could cause suspension or expulsion. My kids told me that on average about 70% of LUSD students admit cheating. Tenured teachers have told me they could get fired for failing cheaters. Some lesson this is. We reward cheaters and punish low grade students for being honest.

This might explain the high rate of cheating? Would you want a doctor if you knew they cheated through school? "

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Contrapasso wrote on Sep 18, 2008 10:06 AM:

" To edumacation: Those papers are on the net if they can be purchased on a website. One year, I caught 2 students (not seniors, by the way) just by recognizing that there was no way they could have possibly written the papers they turned in. If you type a line of the suspect paper into google, the purchased paper comes up. It actually cracked me up to catch these kids. Did they really think I wasn't going to notice that they became expert writers and researchers overnight?

To myp.o.v.: I am not sure how much turnitin costs. I do believe that all of the high schools use it. "

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edumacation wrote on Sep 17, 2008 1:51 PM:

" To Contrapasso: I know about turnitin.com. I am referring to the practice of college students writing the high school papers. There are even websites with price schedules. I remember hearing about "Lodi Senior projects" are running around $200 depending on how extensive you want the references. These sites were designed for college students, but are marketed to anyone who has the need and money. Many have a money back guarantee that none of the articles or papers have ever been published. They will even suggest errors that are put in intentionally so that an F student doesn't look like a Valedictorian. LOL

Here are a few links.

www.termpaper.com

www.A1-termpaper.com

www.schoolsucks.com

www.Superior-termpapers.com

www.1millionpapers.com

www.ezwrite.com

Google research paper report writing.

I have also found sites for GOB's to make phoney building development proposals.

Look at these:

http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/crsrpt.htm
http://www.rhccc.netfirms.com/Development%20Proposals.htm

www.GOB-Lies.com

www.Good-ol-boyz.com


LOL ROFL.

I should buy one to see if its the same as the ones we see paraded around. Maybe we should try submitting development proposals, agreements and contracts to turnitin.com? "

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happymom wrote on Sep 17, 2008 1:35 PM:

" When I was in school, we also had a Senior Project. The project was called a college notebook. In this notebook you had a resume, SAT scores, applications for scholarships, information on colleges and financial aid information. It turned into to competitive project and we all took great pride in the notebook. The majority of my class graduated with at least three scholarships. There was also a way out of the notebook for people who did not want to go to college. If you did not want to attend college, you had to write a paper explaining how you planned to support yourself. I think it was a great project and with senior year having so many deadlines, it helped keep us on track for college applications and scholarships. It also helped all of us understand that we needed to find a way to pay to college since Mom and Dad might not be planning to pay for it all. "

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JD wrote on Sep 17, 2008 1:09 PM:

" LodiGirl, did you do OPP in speech and debate? I think maybe I know you. "

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myp.o.v. wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:40 AM:

" It appears that Contrapasso has insider knowledge, so maybe you can answer this: How much does turnitin.com charge for their services? Does every high school in the district use it? If not, why? "

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Lodian wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:20 AM:

" If there is so much value in this senior project then why not have the students do it as a freshman or sophomore? Why have the students do it in their very last year in the LUSD? And why make it a graduation requirement in senior year?

Since the district needs to make cuts this is where the cuts should be made. Cut the senior project. "

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Lodian wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:17 AM:

" class of 007 wrote "Get rid of Senior Project and bring back Science Camp!"

I agree 100%! "

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Contrapasso wrote on Sep 17, 2008 10:20 AM:

" The papers are submitted to Turnitin.com, where they are checked against the internet and a huge database of other papers for plagiarism. It would be difficult for a local student to sell a paper (at least more than once) because once it has been used, it is entered in the Turnitin.com database. Students are not allowed to collaborate on the project. It is one student, one project. "

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edumacation wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:45 AM:

" For years, I have been hearing that kids are buying the "Senior Project" from students or ex-students who are entrepreneurs. Is this still going on? I have heard that some students are allowed to collaborate with others. One student gives opinions and the others do the work. Is this still common practice? "

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commonsense wrote on Sep 17, 2008 7:18 AM:

" Contrapasso is doing a good job of representing what is wrong with one shoe fits all! Some may not reach that potential until they are in their later years. Bring back the classes that are going to provide for an economy of the working class, with the technology that is need to compete in the global world. "

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SSG Jeremy wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:51 AM:

" Did I hate the Sr. Project when I was in HS? Hell yes. Did I still bust my butt and make a project that I am still proud of 7 years later? You bet I am. The Sr. Project was easy for some, and difficult for others, but in the end It was worth it. I hate to sound like a jerk but quit complaining. Its not your place to make policy. "

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max stanfield wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:38 PM:

" Very good, John. A complete waste of time and energy for all the reasons you list and more. Smart kids do a good job, the slugs ooze by. [...former LUSD'er] "

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Contrapasso wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:28 PM:

" To myp.o.v: Did you know that all of the Senior English classes in this district are designated as college prep? There are no longer English classes that meet the needs of different levels of students. The Lodi Unified School District has adopted the "one size fits all" paradigm. Teachers are supposed to educate everyone, regardless of skill, interest, intelligence, or socio-economic status, at a college prep level. It's a bit Kafkaesque, to say the least!

Formerly, students were given options. They could go into college prep classes or non-college prep classes. The CP seniors had even more choices, like World Literature, Shakespeare, Rhetoric, British Lit or English 12 CP. The non-college prep students could take English 12 or Contemporary Lit. Alas, all of these choices are gone. Everyone goes to English 12 CP. (Unless, of course, they go to AP)I hope this helps you understand. Have a wonderful day!! "

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myp.o.v. wrote on Sep 16, 2008 11:55 AM:

" In reading all the comments, Audi 5000 has the best understanding of what Senior Project is. I keep reading about all the college bound seniors. Has anybody thought of the non-college bound seniors? Has anybody thought about the students that do not have a roof over their head on a daily basis (yes, LUSD has a homeless population!)? The families that do not own computers? A family that cannot afford ink cartridges at $25 a pop because it will take food off the table? Where do they receive help if not in their English 12 class? The public library? And what do they charge for a printed page? The Senior Project is not only an expense for the district, but for many "underprivileged families" in LUSD!!!! It is a financial burden for LUSD and families with 12th graders having to do a project. GET RID OF IT!!! "

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napa valley chef wrote on Sep 16, 2008 11:34 AM:

" Mr. Goudie is the one of the best teachers I've ever had. If he hates it, then it certainly is a waste of time. "

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Whoa Nellie wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:11 AM:

" Like OLDGUY, I too have sat on the citizens panel and judged the Senior Projects for several years.

I've seen written reports that look like a third grader has done it and others that a blew me away.

In it's current state the project fails to meet the needs of the kids who need it most: the kids not going to college.

Like everything in life, if you put in the effort into *blank* (the sr project) you will reap it's rewards.

The way the project is done now it is pointless. If the LUSD wants to do it correctly they need some changes in the project.

And there is plenty of time to do this project. One student I judged was a 4.0, played at least two sports, and his project was very unique. "

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LodiGirl wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:42 AM:

" To anthonyandrea: I'm sorry if you got the idea I was overwhelmed by the project, more like I resented it. I was already on the Speech team and was in College Level English... so what was the point? The "Project" was something I enjoyed and yet resented feeling forced to do it for the purpose of a grade. Wonder if Mr Goudie still hates it... "

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Audi 5000 wrote on Sep 16, 2008 7:52 AM:

" To A&A: Most children are literate and are able to write an essay and can fill out a college aps. by the time they are seniors. For the few that can't, the Senior Project will not save them, it will just be one more assignment they fail, or perhaps succeed with the safety nets and unlimited chances to eventually receive a mercy passing. "

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class of 007 wrote on Sep 16, 2008 7:12 AM:

" Real meaningful project. Half of my class started writing their paper 2 or 3 days before it was due and picked mentors they knew and would bluff the hours needed to pass. More of a burden than anything. Get rid of Senior Project and bring back Science Camp! "

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anthonyandrea wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:30 PM:

" ...Just one more comment to the girl who felt overwhelmed with her senior project while taking AP classes....I also took AP classes my senior year and found time to do a phenomenal senior project that I was and to this day am very proud of. If you select a meaningful project like you are supposed to, it will instill a sense of pride, authority and independence in the teenagers that are about to be launched out into the real world...and may even help you when applying to college! Senior projects are a very positive thing in those students that are active in academics, the ones who procrastinate and put the project on the back burner will suffer rightfully... "

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anthonyandrea wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:24 PM:

" The senior project is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. With the "no child left behind" programs that force teachers instead of teaching grammar and writing and other necessary skills for college to cater to the state standardized tests, our public schools have suffered greatly in the English department. Not only do children these days not know how to speak proper English, they seldom know how to spell or master a standard essay. The senior projects are the very last hope for these long lost English, writing and speaking skills. "

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Audi 5000 wrote on Sep 15, 2008 1:13 PM:

" As seniors, these students are preoccupied with succeeding in their classes as well as using their writing skills in writing essays, etc., when applying to colleges. There is enough on their plates without adding a task that most parents and students face half-heartily, at best. "

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marzo2008 wrote on Sep 15, 2008 11:55 AM:

" a waste of time. I didn't have to do it and no student today should have to as well. If anything, there should be time for those students who need to catch up and help should be given. Those who don't should be given the offer for college courses. even the SAT test is a waste. I went to college and didn't even take the SAT. "

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Contrapasso wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:53 AM:

" Well, I teach heterogeneous classes and my kids read two epic poems, a novella, Inferno, 1 Shakespeare play, Metamorphosis, No Exit and a few other things that I can't recall offhand. One year I had all seniors, all Shakespeare plays. I did not replace the plays with days spent mindlessly typing papers or forms for senior project. I have not taught seniors before the project was implemented.

You actually proved my point. The kids should know how to write a paper or give a presentation by the time they are seniors; thus, there is no need to replace curriculum.

I happen to think that the hysterical attitude some students and teachers have about the project is making it seem like more of a burden than it needs to be. If I had the opportunity to revise this project, I would not include the portfolio as it stands today. I probably would suggest the research paper, the speech and some form of community service which could be authenticated. The project shouldn't be drug out over the entire senior year. I think that's why kids feel like they are "hostages." "

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napa valley chef wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:28 AM:

" I'm glad I didn't have to deal with the Senior Project when I was in high school. I think Lodigirl has a great point: if students are already challenging themselves with AP classes, they should not have to bother with this additional exercise. "

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JD wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:13 AM:

" With all due respect, Contrapasso, the district has had twelve years to teach these kids to write papers and give presentations.

I must confess myself a little surprised at your assertion that

. . . I have successfully taught Senior Project without letting it replace the rich literature that is the senior curriculum.

My senior english teacher was clear about precisely which books from his prior curriculum he would no longer be able to cover once the SP was instituted. I don't recall the titles now, but there were three or four of them.

Did you teach senior-level english both before and after the introduction of the Senior Project? "

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Contrapasso wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:02 AM:

" I'm sorry Audi. It's not a COMPLETE waste of time. Writing papers and giving presentations are essential skills for students who truly are college bound. However,I do agree that the paperwork and some of the sections of the portfolio are repetitious and unnecessary. "

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Audi 5000 wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:56 AM:

" The Senior Project has become another LUSD sacred cow that provides jobs and funding. So, it doesn't matter if it's a huge waste of time for busy students, which it is, or that it's a drain on an all ready cash strapped school district, which it shamelessly is. It will continue not primarily as a benefit to students but as a facade for the needy LUSD to hide behind. "

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JD wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:44 AM:

" I concur with LodiGirl. (In fact, if she went to Lodi High, I may have been in her class!)

At its core, the Senior Project is the district's attempt to punish *all* high school seniors for its own abysmal failure to prepare *some* of them for life after high school. "

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Contrapasso wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:33 AM:

" As a high school teacher, I support the Senior Project. However, I have found that some teachers replace the senior curriculum with Senior Project tasks, such as typing the paper and completing the forms. I think the project should be a PART of the senior English class, not the FOCUS of the class. Making the project the focus of the class is completely counter-productive because it does not truly prepare students for writing papers in college. College projects generally do not consume class time; they are to be completed on the student's own time. And yes, I have successfully taught Senior Project without letting it replace the rich literature that is the senior curriculum. "

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Lodigirl wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:24 AM:

" I was a hostage to the Senior Project the second year it was in place and as an AP student it was a waste of time. Every student in my class resented having to take additional time over and above the rest of our schedule (most of us were in at least 3 AP courses) to do the stupid project. The CP students spend half the year working on it in class, really if anything AP students should be exempt. "

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Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:23 AM:

" They should either get rid of the senior project or have the students do it in another year besides senior year. "

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oldguy wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:00 AM:

" I wonder if john has served on a citizens panel. I have and each year I leave feeling very good about the young people who participated. One of the ideas is to stretch their horizons. I have seen things from young people sky diving and building models and remodeling automobiles. Some of the things they do do have potential liability for the school district so it is not unreasonable to expect the parents to assume the liability for their childrens actions. Sure it is a challenge and requires dedication. The only thing I tend to agree with is John's concern that a deadline is not a deadline. I do not know the answer, but please do not throw the baby out with the bath water "

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