BEST WORKS PORTFOLIO FAQs

What is a BEST WORKS Portfolio?
The BEST WORKS Portfolio is a collection of your work and achievements that documents your learning and growth over time. This portfolio is a place where you demonstrate your mastery of competencies required by the State of Washington for graduation, and a vehicle for you to plan, monitor and reflect upon future goals and past learning experiences. It will also be a helpful resource as you prepare to pursue further education, training, and employment. In your senior year, you will present your final portfolio at Senior Boards as part of your Senior Project. 
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What goes in the BEST WORKS Portfolio?
Starting in your sophomore year, you will be expected to include a certain number of required BEST WORKS in your portfolio each quarter. Many of these BEST WORKS will be work you have done for certain classes; others will be work assigned by your cohort leader. The following link will provide you with the tools and information needed by students to use as a guide for their portfolio. CHS Culminating Project – Resources For Students

The BEST WORKS Portfolio is separated into four sections: Section One: High School and Beyond; Section Two: College and Career; Section Three: Academic Achievements; and Section Four: Senior Project. 
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What documents do I need for each section of the BEST WORKS Portfolio?
Section One: High School and Beyond
Personal Statement; High School and Beyond Plan; Goal Setting Papers; and Other Documents/Assignments including career planning, assessment tests, etc.

Section Two: College and Career
Attendance Narratives; Transcripts and Transcript Review Papers; Resume; and Other Documents/Assignments including college applications, job applications, references, cover letters, etc.

Section Three: Academic Achievements
Best Works; Academic Assessment & Results Sheet; and Other Achievements and Awards

Section Four: Senior Project
Senior Project Observation Assignment; Senior Project Reflective Narrative; and Other Senior Project Documents including documentation and proof of project.
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What/Who is a Cohort Leader?
A cohort leader is a staff member who will assist you all through your high school years. Your cohort leader will meet with you periodically throughout the year (see the calendar for exact dates) providing materials, instruction, and support.
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Who will help me with the BEST WORKS Portfolio?
The cohort leader, along with your classroom teachers, will guide you in the selection of portfolio BEST WORKS.
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How will my BEST WORKS Portfolio work be monitored?
Each quarter your cohort leader will evaluate your portfolio for completeness, and your progress will be noted on your report card. Students who do not meet expectations for BEST WORK Portfolios will be provided with additional assistance, coaching, and opportunities to successfully complete the expectations in a timely manner.
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What is a BEST WORK?
The BEST WORKS you choose to put into your portfolio have an important purpose, which is to demonstrate your mastery of Washington State Learning Goals 3 and 4. Your cohort leader and all of your classroom teachers can also help you select and write about the works you choose to include in your BEST WORKS Portfolio.
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Is the BEST WORKS Portfolio really a graduation requirement?
YES. The BEST WORKS Portfolio, along with the Senior Project is a Washington State graduation requirement.
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SENIOR PROJECT FAQs

What is the Senior Project?
The Senior Project is designed to be the culmination of your academic experience at Curtis High School. It is a genuine opportunity for you to merge your various interests, passions, and curiosities with your academic life at school and your future career goals. The following link will provide you with the tools and information needed by students to use as a guide for their portfolio. CHS Culminating Project – Resources For Students
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Why is the Senior Project required as part of my Senior Social Studies courses?
The Senior Project is your opportunity to show mastery of three important Social Studies EALRs (Essential Academic Learning Requirements), which are state mandated learning requirements for all high school graduates.
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What is an Essential Question (EQ)?
A successful and meaningful Senior Project involves genuine inquiry around a topic of your own choosing, one that builds on a personal interest or passion. An Essential Question (EQ) is thought provoking, complex, interesting, and sustainable. It is the type of question that leads to insight and understanding. Essential Questions are questions that require you to make a decision or plan a course of action.
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What is an Applied Activity?
The Applied Activity is a hands-on, real-life practical application of your Essential Question. Ideally, the Applied Activity will allow you to pursue an area of interest related to your future academic, occupational, or recreational goals.
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What kind of research is needed for the Senior Project?
Once the Essential Question and Applied Activity have been determined, you will begin the research process. Each Senior Project must be supported by a solid foundation of research. This research must be both experiential (interviews, internships, mentor relationships, hands-on research) and text-based (library, databases, Internet, media, etc).
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What is a Reflective Narrative?
Upon completion of your Applied Activity, you will write a first person Reflective Narrative that describes what you learned throughout the process of completing your activity. A relatively informal work, it can reflect your personality and should include your honest opinions and feelings about your entire Senior Project, but it should be clear, organized, and error-free.
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What are the Senior Boards?
Your presentation at Senior Boards is the final phase of the CHS Culminating Project Program. This presentation will be an 8 to 10 minute speech before a panel of staff, community members, and students; followed by a 3 to 4 minute question and answer period. The presentation is your opportunity to show that you have mastered skills required for a Washington State high school diploma, as well as, demonstrate your readiness for life after high school.

Before being cleared to present at Senior Boards, you must first complete all components of your Best Works Portfolio and the Senior Project.
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How will I be graded/evaluated for my Senior Board Presentation?
A panel of staff and community members will score your presentation based on the six components, as well as, organization, content, delivery and professional appearance.
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What if I my Senior Board Presentation doesn’t meet standards?
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Is the Senior Project really a graduation requirement?
YES. The Senior Project, along with the BEST WORKS Portfolio is a Washington State graduation requirement. Your diploma will not be issued if you fail to complete the Senior Project.
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General Information for Students and Parents
This page includes general information about the Culminating Project
for students and parents.