State delays graduation project requirement

Now, the Class of 2011 will be the first group of students required to do research on an issue, create "products" to address the issues, write reports about the research and present their findings to a panel of community members.

"Many schools and districts across North Carolina have had a graduation project in some form or fashion for a decade or more. By giving the entire state more time to implement the North Carolina Graduation Project, we can ensure its success in every school and community," board Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Harrison said in a statement.

Board members say that they see the Graduation Project as having the potential eventually to replace some elements of the current high school testing program once it is in place statewide.

"The graduation project offers students the opportunity to explore a topic that they care about, to demonstrate what they know and can do, and to interact with adults in a professional way. These are skills that high school graduates will need as they pursue further education and go into the workplace," Rebecca Garland, chief academic officer for the state Department of Public Instruction, said in a statement.