Senior Seminar (Period 3)

Senior Seminar brings together the knowledge and skills students have learned throughout the Career Certification Program. This course is unique in its rigorous design, giving students control over their learning and building in significant time for students to interact and work with business and community representatives. It is closely tied to academic standards and requires students to complete research and demonstrate learning to outside evaluators. The Senior Seminar class is also recognized and approved by the University of California as an English elective course that is accepted for UC admission.

Students focus on the following areas:

Internship: Students are placed at a local business where they work after school in a non-paid position for 36 hours over a 7-week period to gain practical experience in their career interest area. Using a rubric, employers evaluate student work.

Research Project: Students design and complete a project that demonstrates advanced knowledge related to their area of specialization.

Presentation: Students prepare and present an oral presentation of their project to an audience of professionals for review. To view sample presentations, please click one of the following:
Arts & Communications - Business - Family & Consumer Sciences - Health & Medical Services - Public & Human Services - Technology

Portfolio: Students assemble a portfolio containing a collection of work representing their four years of study. The portfolio is presented in an exit interview to a panel of professionals for evaluation.

These outside evaluations are an important addition to teacher assessments of proficiency. Out of the six overall areas in which students are rated, five must be at the proficient level or above.

Parents can support their students' efforts for success in the Senior Seminar by:

Working with the student to acquire clothing to dress appropriately for seminar activities.
Providing or identifying reliable, consistent transportation to the community site when the student completes the internship (a minimum of 36 hours over a 7-week period).
Encouraging students to finish what they start by making a commitment to successfully complete the Senior Seminar class to earn a program certificate.
Encouraging the student to complete projects and meet required deadlines.
Supporting the student's efforts to prepare and complete project requirements beyond school hours. Additional time after school and on weekends will be needed to complete assigned work.


Here is a Sample parent letter-

Your son/daughter is currently enrolled in the Senior Seminar class for their Career Certification Program in «Path». Students in this class are learning organizational, research, project, and presentation skills that will prepare them for the workplace as well as college. Students will be involved in several activities throughout the year where they will have opportunities to interact with business and professional people. As a result, a “Dress Standard for Seminar Activities” has been developed and is attached.
Please encourage your son/daughter to dress appropriately and complete these activities as diligently as possible:
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Connections to the Future on November 15 – Opportunities to network with business people; parents are also invited to participate.
Internship – Opportunity to work at a community site in their career area.
Research Project – Opportunity to demonstrate application of skills and to research a specific interest resulting in the development of a final product as it relates to the career technical program.
Presentation before a Panel of Community Judges in April – Opportunity to make a formal presentation related to the student’s research project; parents are invited to observe.
Exit Interview before a Panel of Community Judges in May – Opportunity to participate in an exit interview focused on the student’s portfolio and experiences in the program. Community Employment Day in May – Opportunities to practice job application and interview skills with local business representatives; job openings are competitive and some students are hired.
Promotional Activities – Opportunities for students to share their experiences and information about the program to other students and adults.
To earn
• Complete the pathway sequence of courses
• Earn a “B” average (80%) in the core courses
• Earn a “B” or better grades in advanced courses
• Earn a “B” or better in Senior Seminar
a Program Certificate, students must:
Mission: To inspire and educate individuals to realize their dreams and fulfill their responsibilities to society. We proudly join the parents and community in preparing each generation to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
• Earn proficient evaluations from professionals
Students who complete the Program Certification requirements proficiently will be given special recognition at graduation. Students who do not meet the proficiency requirements at the “B” level have the opportunity to earn a teacher certificate of completion for satisfactory completion. Instructors present teacher certificates in the classroom.
Students who are in the Senior Seminar program are close to completing their Career Certification Program. Our teachers and staff work closely with students to keep them on track. Your encouragement in supporting these efforts is important to your son/daughter’s success. You can support these efforts by:
• Working with your son/daughter to acquire clothing to dress appropriately for seminar activities.
• Providing or identifying reliable, consistent transportation to the community site when he/she completes the internship (a minimum of 36 hours over a 7-week period).
• Encouraging him/her to finish what they start by making a commitment to successfully complete the senior seminar class to earn a program certificate.
• Encouraging him/her to complete projects and meet required deadlines.
• Supporting his/her efforts to prepare and complete project requirements beyond
school hours. Additional time after school and on weekends will be needed to complete assigned work.
Students who have completed the program express that the senior seminar class was one of the most valuable classes they have taken in preparing them to go to college, to pursue advanced technical training, and to enter their career field. Research shows that students who complete career pathway programs are often more likely to complete college or technical training, to earn higher postsecondary grades, and have greater career satisfaction.
We appreciate your help. If you any questions, please feel free to contact me at (626) 965-5975

Rocky Bettar