Special Projects  |  Programs of Study

Credits, Enrollment and Prerequisites

Special projects credits are designed to recognize work undertaken by students on an individual or small group basis and should not be used as a means of offering credits for unapproved courses.

Students may enroll in Special Projects 10, 20 or 30.

Special Projects 20 and Special Projects 30 do not have prerequisites.

Purpose

Special projects credits perform two major functions:

• Students become involved in the selection, planning and organization of their own programs.
• Students pursue activities in which they have considerable interest or ability but which are not within the scope of the regular curriculum or the programs being offered in the school.

Procedures

Requirements for special projects credits are:

• Each project shall be carried out under the supervision of a teacher.
• Students are required to submit a clearly planned proposal to the principal for approval. The proposal should include: a description or outline of the project; the number of hours of work expected to complete the project; a method by which the project will be carried out; a description of the expected result − the evaluation procedures as outlined by a teacher; an expected completion date; and the name of the supervising teacher
• The principal shall retain a copy of each special project proposal until the project is completed.
• The opportunity to earn special projects credits shall be available to all students, including those attending an authorized summer school.
• The content of the special project need not be related to a specific school subject.
• If a special project is related to a specific school subject, the content of the project shall be distinct from and in addition to regular course requirements.
• Projects shall be completed and reported to the principal prior to the conclusion of the semester or full term.
• Where a project takes a student off campus, the provisions of the Off-campus Education policy (see Alberta Education Policy, Regulations and Forms Manual) shall apply.
• Special projects credits may be applied toward the Alberta High School Diploma and, until 1997, toward the Advanced High School Diploma (as unspecified credits only), and to the General High School Diploma (as either specified or unspecified credits).
• Students who successfully complete projects are granted 3 credits for 75 hours of work or 5 credits for 125 hours of work in any one semester, or full term on the approval of the principal.
• School jurisdictions shall develop policies to ensure overall consistency and standardization of procedures governing special projects in their schools. Evaluation and reporting procedures should be included in the policy.

Restrictions

Restrictions on special projects are:

• Special projects credits shall not be awarded for student activities that would be considered a normal part of extracurricular or cocurricular activities generally offered by a school; e.g., school team sports, school newspaper, yearbook.
• In instances where a student enrolls in more than one special project, credits shall not be approved unless the projects vary substantially from year to year or demonstrate increased levels of proficiency.