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New graduation requirement earns positive reviews
A new graduation requirement for Mountain Home High School seniors gained positive reviews from students and faculty following its debut last month.
Over the course of two days, each of the high school's nearly 200 seniors stood before members of the faculty to reflect on their education experiences while outlining their future goals and aspirations during their senior project presentations.
The senior project was one in a series of initiatives aimed at improving academic standards across the state. It was one of four new standards added to the state's graduation requirements, noted Melissa McGrath, a spokesperson with the state education department.
To qualify for a diploma, graduates had to complete two math classes in their senior year. In addition to completing a college entrance exam, all high school students also need a minimum of six science classes over their four years of high school.
Meanwhile, the senior project showcases the ability of each student to conduct in-depth research, put together a written presentation while honing their critical thinking skills, McGrath said. These skills are vital for graduates to be successful in life, regardless if they go to college, trade school, the military or the general workforce, she added.
Originally, the senior project concept would've given students more flexibility, according to Mountain Home High School Principal Jeff Johnson. In addition to the research paper and presentation, the state considered giving students a chance to participate in a large-scale community service project or finding a mentor in the community and doing something above and beyond what they would do in school.
However, the state eliminated those options and limited the project to a written research paper and a formal presentation.
In 2012, the high school here ran a pilot program to iron out the bugs associated with the senior project before it became mandatory this year.
"That turned out to be very beneficial," Johnson said. "If we hadn't run it last year, we would've run into big problems this year."
During the presentations last year, the faculty noted that they needed larger, more suitable classrooms for these presentations while ensuring these rooms had the computers and projects for students to use during their presentations.
The pilot program also highlighted a trend that caught Johnson and other teachers off guard. Many of their graduating seniors admitted that they didn't know what they were going to do after graduation.
"When we had students last year saying, 'I don't know,' that was a big slap across the face," the principal said.
"Our job is to prepare them for the future," Johnson said. "Whether it's going straight into college, the work force, the military or trade school, I don't care. We had better prepare them for that."
Changes to the senior project prompted students to ensure they had their post-graduation plans in place.
"We wanted it to make it meaningful and a reflection of their high school years," the principal said. "This year, we really focused on the future plans (of each student)."
Each senior had between seven to 10 minutes to complete their formal presentation, which included the use of visual aids or slides.
"The kids took it very serious," Johnson said.
Most seniors came dressed for the occasion with many of them excited and a bit anxious before they stood up and did their presentation, he added.
"I was really please with how everything went," he said. "I think that the kids did an awesome job," he said.
Out of this year's graduating class, just nine of them didn't meet the minimal requirements but were given a second chance to polish their presentations. Just one of those remaining students had missed the mark the second time.
A third failure comes with dire consequences -- the possibility of not graduating with the rest of the class, Johnson said.
Most students were relieved once they stepped out of the classroom but added that the experience wasn't as bad as they originally feared.
"It was pretty easy," said Olivia Ostberg. "At the same time, it was pretty historical to think over the years and to remember which moments stood out and made you who you are today."
Prompting the students to reflect over the past four years was a rewarding experience, Johnson said. It helped the students and teachers determine which classes made the most difference in the lives of these seniors.
"You find out a lot about the students that you just didn't know," he added.
Members of the school's staff found the experience equally rewarding because they remembered when these students were freshman. During the presentations, the teachers saw firsthand how much these teens had changed since those early days of high school.
Johnson said it was a dramatic difference. For example, high school opened the door to new career options and gave them focus on how to succeed after graduation.
"The general consensus was these students found classes... that changed their whole outlook on school," Johnson said. "It gave them a place where they felt they fit in. It gave them a new passion and connected them to the high school."
The principal singled out a student who discovered that he had a natural talent for welding. It was a skill that he never knew had until he got into the high school program.
Today, that student's once-uncertain career path is clear, Johnson said.
"He's hoping to go straight into the workforce" armed with the skills needed to succeed, he added.
Meanwhile, the high school's health occupations classes had an equally significant difference for other students, many of whom are now looking at going into medical-related fields. Among them was Stormy Gates, who remained heavily active in the health occupation classes taught by Elizabeth Casso Lopez.
Originally, Gates admitted that she struggled to get her senior project started since she wasn't involved in sports like other students. However, she focused on her involvement in the high school medical classes and their connection to her years of volunteer service.
Each summer, she volunteers her time at Elmore Medical Center's long-term care unit. It's something she's done since she was a sophomore.
"I love visiting with all the residents there," she said. "It's my absolutely favorite thing to do."
Clubs and other programs at the high school had a similar effect on other teens.
For example, several students in the art department's artopia program had a chance to teach art to local elementary school children.
That experience, "totally changed what they wanted to do" after high school, the principal said.
During their senior project presentations, students would often identify by name those teachers that made the most difference in their lives. Those that graded these speeches wrote down the names of these teachers and compiled a list that was shared by the faculty to recognize these exceptional educators, Johnson said.
With the first senior projects completed and graded, Johnson believes the program won't change much over the coming years.
"For a first time... I thought it was awesome," he said. "I think we'll constantly tweak it and make adjustments, but all in all, it went very well."