Introduction
Researching and determining a set of goals and broad steps towards those goals will get you thinking in the right direction – but to actually get anywhere, you need to take concrete steps. In order to assure that students have a model for how to think through what is required to go from where they stand today to where they want to be in six months, a year or even five years; each will be asked to take their overall plan and focus on a specific area that they will take action on while within the Senior Seminar course: this is their personal focus project.
The project in the 2012-13 CE involves all the same steps of the CE Project in recent years but is more streamlined and focused. From any aspect of their overall plan: Career/Education, Financial/Budgeting, or Balanced Living they can focus in on a course of action to complete during the project segment of the course. Their course research and reflection logs will just continue throughout the project providing Seminar teachers with a view into their learning. When the project is completed, they will evaluate what has been learned and then return to revise their post high school plan.
To begin the project students will first determine which of their plans’ goals they will work on. Next, each student will create an action plan detailing specific steps and outlining a timeline for completion. During the development or execution of the project a student may work independently, collaboratively, or under the guidance of a mentor. Each will be asked to consult experts whether virtually, through interviews or through onsite visits. Parents will be asked to sign their proposed project so they are aware of the activities outlined.
When thinking through the development of the action plan some key tips include:
- Specify the actions needed to reach each of the associated goals, who will complete each action and according to what timeline.
- What specific results (or objectives) much be accomplished that, in total, reach the goals
- While identifying objectives, keep asking “Are you sure you can do this?”
- How those results will be achieved
- When the results will be achieved (or timelines for each objective)
- Remember that objectives and their timelines are only guidelines, not rules set in stone. They can be deviated from, but deviations should be explained.
Modified from the professional coaching tips for moving from a strategic plan to action plan produced by Authenticity Consulting, LLC ® at http://managementhelp.org/strategicplanning/actionplanning.htm
Resources
- Writing a Self-Evaluation (Word)
Template
Project Model – project in process (updated 10-29-12)