The basic purpose of the Mabton Achievement Plan Presentation is for you, the student, to have an opportunity to demonstrate what you learned in your four years in high school, what skills you have attained, and how you are ready to continue on to the next step in your future.

I. Be involved in the development of their goals and portfolio.

II. Assist and discuss timelines of the portfolio with your son/daughter.

III. Encourage your son/daughter to complete the steps of the portfolio as prescribed within the MAP checklist.

IV. Refer to this handbook often while assisting your son/daughter to achieve success.

V. Please contact the school if you have any questions.

Based on interviews and discussions with corporate executives, business owners, and other management individuals the United States Department of Labor came up with 7 skills all employers want their employees to have. It is on these, in part, that MAP is founded. These seven skills are the following:

I. Organizational Effectiveness/Leadership

II. Interpersonal Skills/Ability to Goal Set

III. Self-Esteem/Motivation/Ability to Goal set

IV. Creative Thinking and Problem Solving

V. Ability to Communicate Effectively

VI. Reading, Writing, and Math Skills

VII. Knowing How to Learn

I. Raising the standards of learning and holding schools accountable to help students achieve those standards.

II. Promoting “community schools” with parents, teachers, and community members leading the way toward comprehensive, locally developed school reform.

III. Preparing the 70 percent of students who will not receive a four year college degree to successfully compete for the high quality, high paying jobs of the future.

Goal 1: Read with comprehension, write with skill, and communicate effectively and responsibly in a variety of ways.

Goal 2: Know and apply the core concepts and principles of mathematics, social, physical, and life sciences; civics and history; geography, arts and health and fitness.

Goal 3: Think analytically, logically, and creatively, and integrate experience and knowledge to form reasoned judgments and solve problems.

Goal 4: Understand the importance of work and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities.

Certainly a plan such as this also calls for a new type of assessment that emphasizes practical applications. This change from a rule-driven to a results-driven service delivery for schools should make learning more applicable and the diploma more meaningful.

Title Page – Contains a portfolio title, your name, and the date of your portfolio completion.

Table of Contents – Should display the portfolio organization according to the following four areas:

I. The Student as a Planner

II. The Student as a Learner

III. The Student as a Citizen

IV. The Student as an Employee

I. The Student as a Planner

A) Goal Setting (12th Grade) – Write a narrative which describes the goal(s) you have for your life after high school and into the future. As you write your narrative, explain how you will attain these goals.

B) High School Transcript – The transcript should reflect your 7 semesters of high school.

C) Resume Experience (9th Grade) – Include a description of your education and evidence of any kind, of the experiences you have had in the last four years that have helped to prepare you for the world after high school. This not only includes any formal jobs you have had, but also school and community activities.

D) Letters of Recommendation – You should have at least 2 letters. One recommendation should be from any adult other than your present teacher who can speak about your capabilities. No recommendations from family members. Make sure you request recommendations several weeks in advance.

E) Applications and Other Forms – There must be at least 1 example of the type of forms you will need to fill out in order to meet your post high school plans. Copies of any completed applications would be best.

F) Test Scores/Aptitudes – You need at least 1 example of whatever you have available. (SAT, etc., interest inventory).

G) Pathway Choice Essay (9th Grade) – After a career choice has been made students will compile an essay as to why they chose this course.

H) Portfolio Progress Check Sheet (Seniors Only)

I) Financial Aid Application

J) WOIS/Career Booklet

II. The student as a Learner

A) Discuss or demonstrate in essay form how teamwork, group work or working within an organization, including academic, extra-curricular, or community work helped to make you a better learner.

B) Printed Speech with Rubric

C) Occupational Project

D) Best Work; Academic, Fine Arts, Vocational and Personal

III. The Student as a Citizen

A) Voter’s Registration – Or a short formally written explanation as to how one would go about registering to vote and why you chose not to.

B) Draft Registration – Or a short formally written explanation as to how one goes about registering for the draft and why you did not.

C) Driver’s License – Or a short explanation as to how one goes about attaining a driver’s license.

D) Social Security Card – Or a short explanation as to how one goes about attaining a social security number and why you chose not to. ( Do not include your Social Security Number)

E) CPR – First Aid Card

F) Record of School/Community Service – Show evidence of your involvement in an effort to improve the school or community. Ten hours per year are required.

G) Awards – Optional

IV. The Student as an Employee

A) Resume (up-dated in the 12th Grade)

B) Record of job application

C) Cover Letter for job application (accompanies resume prior to an interview)

D) Job Shadow with Evaluation Form (On-line Job Shadow Application)

E) School Attendance Essay – Write a brief narrative about the effect attendance would have on you as an employee (Approx. 150 words)

In giving any oral presentation, it is important to first look at your purpose; what is it you want to accomplish? The basic purpose of the Mabton Achievement Plan Presentation is for you to have the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned in your four years in high school, what skills you have attained, and how you are ready to continue on to the next step in your future.

You must look at your audience and why they are there. In the Mabton Achievement Plan presentation your audience will be made up of four or five individuals who may be teachers, there to hear where you have been, where you are now, and where you plan to go. The best thing about this audience is every one of them wants you to succeed. Much of the preliminary work for your presentation has been finished since the presentation is based primarily on the contents of your Mabton High School Portfolio.

You will brush lightly on most of the things contained in your portfolio, but the areas of your greatest strength may take a bit more time to tell.

It is very important to understand that your audience expects you to be fairly brief with questions from your audience to follow. Preparation and practice are of the utmost importance.

The format for your presentation has three basic stages. Your presentation should first begin with an introduction, which contains some sort of title for your presentation and a statement of purpose for what you plan to include in your presentation. Treat your audience as though they know very little of the work you have done. The next part of your presentation in which you discuss the contents of your portfolio. Remember your purpose and focus on that. Finally you will end with a closing statement or conclusion.

This finale should sum up your presentation and possibly leave your audience with something more to think about. You will have to choose the best method of preparation. Some presenters write out their entire speech and others work from outline type notes which contain only key phrases. Whatever system you use, make sure you take the time to practice out loud. Some people even suggest practicing in front of a mirror.

Preparation and practice is your only way of achieving that goal. Charts, graphs, audio-visuals, scrapbooks, movies, computer programs, WEB pages, posters, may be used in your presentation.

Once you’ve planned what you are going to say, it’s important to take some time to regard how you’re going to say it.

A) Eye Contact – This is extremely important because, in this case, true communication comes only through good eye contact. Practice often so that you rarely look at your notes. Remember this is a friendly audience who wants you succeed.

B) Posture – Use good posture. Stand proud. You have accomplished a great deal and should look it. Try to avoid nervous behaviors such as locking your knees or fidgeting. Remembering that nervousness is normal may help you deal with it more effectively. Taking deep breaths and bringing a glass of water to sip before your speech may be beneficial.

C) Voice - Make sure your voice is loud enough for the situation and use a variety of pitch, tone, speed and rhythm.

D) Gesture – Feel free to use your hands as you speak to help you make a point. Don’t over do it though. Keep your gestures natural and spontaneous.

E) Props – Practice with your Mabton Achievement Plan Portfolio and any other props you plan to use.

F) Attitude – Be open and friendly. Everyone attending is there because they care and want to know about you. Be prepared for questions.

G) Always use acceptable and appropriate language.

A) Is it the best tool for the job?

B) Do I know how to operate it knowledgably?

C) Will it work in the presentation space?

D) Where will you get the equipment?


If you are borrowing from the school…


1) Notify the librarian that you will need audio-visual equipment and he or she will assist you in securing it.

2) If you are using a video tape, test it in the VCR before you plan to begin your presentation. Also, make sure that the tape is pre-set before your presentation time.

3) When you know the exact date of your presentation, check a day or two ahead of time to see that the equipment is still reserved.

4) Remember, your audio-visual should enhance your presentation, not overshadow it.

5) Remember that your success depends on you. Be responsible.

A) Remember you are facing adults in a formal situation. How you look will affect how you are perceived. Dress for success!

B) Be impeccably groomed. First impressions are very important and consequently, neat hair and clean/pressed clothing are a must.

C) Be appropriately dressed. Provocative attire is not acceptable.

D) Gaudy or unusual attire, unless it has specific purpose in your presentation, distracts the panel. If you want them to focus on what you have to say, dress conservatively.

A) Why do I have to do this? – The MAP portfolio will provide you with a validation for your transcript and an important resource in the application for future employment and/or education. The MAP Presentation will provide you with the opportunity to share what you have learned with others and provide experience in a very real interview situation.

B) What if I don’t complete the portfolio and/or presentation? – The MAP Portfolio Presentation is a requirement for graduation. Starting with the class of 2000, all seniors must complete this project in order to receive a diploma.

C) When should I begin preparing? – Now! It will be up to you to choose and gather the materials which go into your MAP Portfolio and meet the timeline set forth in this handbook. You will receive assistance and assignments related to the presentation in your classes and suggestions from teachers, but, all in all, IT’S UP TO YOU.

D) What kind of documentation/materials can I use in my MAP Portfolio? – Many items that belong in the portfolio are clearly stated, especially in The Student as a Planner, Learner, Citizen and Employee section of your handbook. In the Student as a Learner section, creativity and careful thought must be used. You will draw from other areas beyond your typical classroom work. In any case, you may use anything appropriate: papers, projects, photographs, artwork, video and audio tapes, certificates, etc., which show/demonstrate your ability to read, write, communicate, know, apply, think, understand and perform. Remember, one item or project may demonstrate many different skills.

E) What if I no longer have documentation which demonstrates my skill? Often students may not have saved important documents which reflect his/her skill or participation in a particular course. In this case, it is permissible for a student to provide visual evidence, work out a project with a teacher in that area, or write a narrative which illustrates or describes the following:

1) When and where that student met and/or exceeds this requirement

2) Why the student’s particular activity shows skill mastery in this course area.

F) How will the presentation Work? – Before May 1st you will be assigned an afternoon or evening time in which you will meet with the MAP Committee to which you have been assigned. You will need to make sure you are there early enough to set up and check your equipment.

G) Can I video tape my presentation and just show that? – All video visuals should support your presentation,not be the sole component. Non-live audio/visual components should not exceed 25% of your MAP Presentation.