Twenty-first century skills are important for secondary students to experience during school. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gauge the perception of senior students regarding their exposure to the Virginia 5C's (5C's) and the 21st century skills through a senior project experience. The central research question was, Did the senior project at a rural high school in Virginia expose students to the 5C's and 21st century skills? According to the Virginia Board of Education, the 5C's (critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship) are essential for every public high school student to learn. The 5C's have been incorporated into all public high schools in Virginia, beginning with the freshmen class of 2018-2019. Information was gathered to identify improvements that could be made to a senior project at a public secondary school to determine if 21st century skills and the 5C's were exposed. The senior project coursework included an introduction to 21st century skills and the 5C's, resume workshop, interview training, and an actual interview. Seniors worked 30 minutes each day with an instructor that totaled 2 hours for the senior project experience. After completion of the senior project, 22 students voluntarily completed an electronic survey that contained 12 questions. Results were analyzed and four specific findings were evident. Participants agreed that the senior project exposed them to the 21st century skills and the 5C's. Although the researcher could not prove that the students are better prepared for post-graduation because of the senior project, participants agreed to the survey question that the senior project helped better prepare them for post-graduation. Also the participants agreed that they enjoyed the senior project overall. The results of this study could support leaders with implementing a senior project if the desired outcome is for students to gain knowledge of the 5C's and 21st century skills. / Doctor of Education / Twenty-first century skills are important for secondary students to experience during school. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gauge the perception of senior students regarding their exposure to the Virginia 5C's (5C's) and the 21st century skills through a senior project experience. The central research question was, Did the senior project at a rural high school in Virginia expose students to the 5C's and 21st century skills? According to the Virginia Board of Education, the 5C's (critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship) are essential for every public high school student to learn. The 5C's have been incorporated into all public high schools in Virginia, beginning with the freshmen class of 2018-2019. Information was gathered to identify improvements that could be made to a senior project at a public secondary school in the western portion of Virginia to determine if 21st century skills and the 5C's were successfully addressed. After completion of the senior project, 22 students voluntarily completed an electronic survey that contained 12 questions. Results were analyzed and it was found that the overall senior project experience exposed students to the 5C's and 21st century skills. Although the researcher could not prove that the students are better prepared for post-graduation because of the senior project, participants agreed to the survey question that the senior project helped better prepare them for post-graduation. Also the participants agreed that they enjoyed the senior project overall.

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