Kitsap Education

Graduation is approaching and I’m interested in culminating projects completed by the class of 2010, or past classes. Do you know of someone who did something particularly interesting or successful? Or maybe something not so successful? Post a comment here or email me: kitsapeducation@yahoo.com and let me know.
I have two interesting ideas so far. A CKHS student in the class of 2010 planned a new worship service for his church. And a few years ago, another CKHS student researched his family’s recipes, made a batch of cookies from a special recipe and then wrote a paper about it. Two very different projects. I’m sure there are more out there.

Superintendent for Public Instruction Randy Dorn is proposing more changes in the math and science requirements for public school students. A two-tier system for proficiency seems to be an interesting proposal – it will definitely stir some discussions.

Read the proposal here.

In his address to Congress last night, President Obama listed education as his third-highest priority for getting America back on track. He asked Americans to pursue at least one year of education beyond high school and he promised to help people pay for college too.
This line in the speech particularly caught my attention:
“And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country — and this country needs and values the talents of every American.”
Rarely in recent history have I heard anyone refer to graduation as a patriotic duty of sort. Puts things in a different perspective – a better one.

From Chris Case, the spokeswoman for North Kitsap schools:

Two-hundred and fifty graduates of the class of ’08 from North Kitsap High School , Kingston High School and Spectrum Community School recently received letters asking them to participate in a survey. The purpose of the survey is to determine how valuable graduates thought different aspects of their education had been in preparing them for life after high school. Out of the 250 graduates who received the survey in December, only 25 students have responded.

 Because the data is so valuable to the schools and to the school district, the survey letters are being mailed a second time to the 225 students who did not respond. Students should receive the second letter late this week. Responding to the survey is a simple, online process. This survey is only sent to a cross-section of randomly selected graduates. In order for the data to be useful, most of the students need to respond. If you know a student who received a survey, please encourage the student to respond as soon as possible.

Tyler J. Hassett, a 12th-grader in the CK school district, is less than impressed with the culminating project graduation requirement. In a letter to the editor published today, he complains about having to sit inside and finish his project instead of getting to play outside in the snow.

His letter:

Winter break should be a time of relaxation and catching up for students of all ages.

As a high school senior, I should be able to enjoy myself and play out in the snow for what may be one of the last times. Instead, I am stuck inside, delegated to finish my Culminating Project. For those who don’t know, this is a project required by our state to be completed in order to graduate.

I can understand the reasons behind it — we need thoughtful, intelligent students to lead our communities into the future. Sadly, this district and others are going about it all wrong.

Currently, I am being forced to research a career when I still have almost no idea of where I want to be 10 years from now. I cannot see the benefit of using an entire semester to complete a 10-minute presentation on something of little significance. However, I must do it anyways, because I intend on graduating, going to college, and moving on to bigger and better things.

I hope our district, and indeed the state, can figure out a better way to finish a student’s career.

Tyler (J.) Hassett, 12th grade

You know, after watching my three kids (who are younger than Tyler) romp through the drifts for days over Christmas break, I have to sort of sympathize with his point of view. Of course, some of the time I was right out there with them (and I am MUCH older than Tyler) so I don’t think I can agree with his statement that this was one of the last times he will be able to play in the snow.

In any event, Tyler does have to complete the culminating project to graduate. Read about the requirements here on the CK school district website. As I read through them this morning, the project sounds like a good idea and definitely not a waste of time. The kids are asked to explore a topic of interest to them in the areas of personal, community service, career, cultural or academic interest. The project is supposed to explore an interest connected to the student’s future.

I love some of the CK restrictions on project topics: no piercing or tatooing, no bungee jumping, spelunking, extreme snow boarding, shark chumming (what the heck is that?) no dog training and no weapons.

The culminating project is a statewide graduation requirement. Read about the project here at the OSPI website. OSPI also showcases some extraordinary projects from Washington students in the past. One girl was a camp counselor at a camp for kids in war-torn Croatia. Another girl worked with cancer researchers on a possible link between cell phone use and brain cancer. Yet another volunteered at a free health clinic in her community and used her Spanish skills to help patients. 

Bad news for Tyler: These projects sound pretty worthwhile.

So what’s the word? Is this project a waste of time? If you’re a student, what have you studied? If you’re a teacher, what benefits/drawbacks have you seen for your students? Parents?