I think the concept of aSenior Project is completely unfair. If these students haven't met the standards for graduation by the senior year, then there is something wrong with school's ongoing curriculum. The senior year is supposed to be a time preparing for colleges, having some fun (since some of these kids don't see other again for years), and preparing for adulthood. The Senior Project is nothing more than a monkey on their backs. I think it proves nothing more than how to completely stress out kids in an already stressful time. I give it a big "THUMBS DOWN."

While it's unfair to blame a serial killer's parents for "raising a maniac", I also think it is unfair to blame a school's curriculum for not preparing a student for graduation. While there may surely be some areas in need of improvement within a curriculum, students must also face the music in accepting the idea that they may not have done all they could have in terms of paying attention and completing work to the best of their ability. The senior project, in my opinion, is most definitely preparing seniors for colleges. First of all the school will be able to measure whether or not the student is ready for college since most of the senior project requirements are aligned to what the colleges are asking for. If they can't pass those simple senior project requirements while they are in a familiar and supportive environment like high school, chances are they won't cut the mustard in college. Those kids that have put forth an honest effort in their studies will not have much to stress out over, they will still have time for fun. It's those seniors that wait until the last week to pull it together that will feel that stress. A well planned senior project is one that includes supportive adults in school and at home. With that said, it's in everyone's best interest to make an effort to understand their district's senior project model (it is different for each school even though it shares the same name), seeing why certain decisions were made whereas on the surface it may seem like an odd choice, and making an effort to be a positive voice instead of adding to the "stressful time". By now I think you can tell that I am someone who is deeply involved in my district's senior project. As someone who is on the other side of the fence I would like to say to those who truly want to help our high school seniors - get involved, sign up to be a mentor, contact your local district's senior project coordinator or just visit the school's website and poke around to find accurate information. To those who prefer to talk the senior project down, I would just like to ask that whatever negative comment you have that you present it with evidence not speculation so that the evidence can be brought to light in hopes of correcting it and ultimately improving the senior project for all stakeholders - teachers, parents, and students.

I agree with trish, we as students are stressed enough about our homework and many other things. The senior project nor the porfolio has brought us more thoughts about droping out of high school than ever before.The drop out rate has increased, also the mind of people are going to something else. The minds are following the wrong path more drug dealers and more crime will be followed. Also why do we have to prove anything if no one has ever proved anything before, why would you change high school now? If you really wanna make a difference start in elementary, and grow, improve and advance the kids from there but not out of nowhere into a high school students life. We stress about our project everyday making sure its coming out perfect and what we do is mess up even more. Start with the next generation of elemantary kids and make a difference.

I think the whole process of a Senior Project is utterly ridiculous. The teachers, who are supposed to help the students along are not only not fully educated about the program, but are just as overwhelmed by the scale of it.

A student spends every day for 180 days a year working on homework, projects and extar cirruculars to be competitive in the college competition. So why should those students with a dream be hindered by a sill presentation?

As a student, I have seen firsthand its toll on the students. They are stressed, unfocused and worried sick about these projects. The drop out rate among these anxiety ridden seniors is staggering, and if you add the numbers of those not allowed to graduate, because of the project, you'll find we have an epidemic on our hands.

But, what I really want to ask the Board of Regents, who passed this legislation, do 4 years of hard work have less merit than an 8 minute project? Seriously?

I think as a whole we need to rethink RI's educational system, because honestly, we're headed for a train wreck.

I would like the Board of Regents to take the time to come and see our school and daily lives, firsthand. How can they compare their educational experiences to ours? They never had the same anxities, pressures and expectations that we have today as students.

The educational system wants so much out of us, but there is only so much we give. Most of us are balancing school work, part time jobs, and a family and social life, not even to mention all of the extra cirriculars we try to pursue.

The project has its "heart in the right place" so to speak, but its effects are only what can be described as disasterous. If we continue this way, we will have a ridiculous amount of undereducated students who never will go on to pursue higher education. And considering the number of colleges in RI, I think that this is dangerous to them as well.

Millions have been spent, and dozens have already been deprived of a higher education. What will have to happen before we change our ways?

I am the parent of two children and two step-children in the Warwick school system. Two in elementary and two at the high school level.

After reading what Mrs. B said above I would worry more about the daily school activities then the senior project.

It baffles me how the high school kids seem to never have any homework or projects due. The elementary school kids have more work then the HS.

I have been to college and this is like throwing them from the frying pan into the fire.

If this is the status quo of all HS students to barely have any homework or reports due god help them in college. They are in a for a great shock!