High School Reform
Dropout Prevention for Students With Disabilities: A Critical Issue for State Education Agencies
This issue brief provides guidance to states as they respond to requirements presented in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004) in the area of dropout prevention for students with disabilities. It also highlights the role of State Performance Plans as starting points for states to develop data collection and monitoring procedures, and supplies states with considerations and recommendations for providing a consistent method of tracking dropout data. (National High School Center, 2007)
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Eight Elements of High School Improvement: A Mapping Framework
The National High School Center has developed a framework that consists of eight core elements and provides a lens for mapping school, district, and state high school improvement efforts. The exercise of mapping should inform strategic planning and implementation efforts by illuminating the connections among elements, revealing strengths and gaps in current state and district policies, and highlighting the stakeholders who should be aware of and involved in future improvement efforts. (National High School Center, 2008)
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Evaluating the Impact of Interventions That Promote Successful Transitions from High School
This research brief examines the challenges and opportunities presented in evaluating whether an intervention achieves defined goals of increasing students’ educational attainment, employment, and earnings after high school. (National High School Center, 2008)
Author: Michael Bangser
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High School Dropout: A Quick Stats Fact Sheet
This fact sheet highlights the problem of dropout prevention facing America’s high schools today. It provides information on the students most likely to drop out, and examines the impact of dropouts on crime, the economy, personal incomes, and employment. (National High School Center, 2007)
Author: Maggie Monrad
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Improving Literacy Instruction in Middle and High Schools: A Guide for Principals
This "quick start" guide for principals of both middle and high schools identifies three goals for secondary school literacy initiatives and provides elements of instruction required to meet these goals. It then outlines the critical elements of a school-level literacy action plan. (Center on Instruction, 2007)
Authors: Joseph Torgesen, Debra Houston, and Lila Rissman
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Meeting the Needs of Significantly Struggling Learners in High School: A Look at Approaches to Tiered Intervention
This report provides information on Response to Intervention (RTI) and its implications for use at the secondary school level. It defines RTI models, provides a description of two RTI approaches, shares a snapshot of implementation at the high school level, outlines eight issues related to RTI at the high school level and provides many resources to support this work. (National High School Center, 2007)
Author: Helen Duffy
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Preparing High School Students for Successful Transitions to Postsecondary Education and Employment
This issue brief highlights lessons from selected policies and programs designed to improve students’ preparation for postsecondary pathways. The publication summarizes core characteristics of popular interventions in a user-friendly chart, poses overarching implementation questions and challenges, and includes considerations for students with disabilities. (National High School Center, 2008)
Author: Michael Bangser
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State and District-Level Support for Successful Transitions into High School
This policy brief examines how some states and districts are currently easing the transition into high school for students. (National High School Center, 2007)
Author: Corinne Herlihy
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State-Level High School Improvement Systems Checklist
This checklist is designed to help states at various stages develop their system of support to reach struggling high schools. The checklist can be used to assess where your state is in terms of the elements of using existing support and guidance mechanisms, and reconfiguring and/or creating new structures to leverage system change for high school improvement. The elements listed in the checklist may be helpful in establishing or refining your state’s education planning and implementation process. (National High School Center, 2007)
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