Preparing High School Students for Transitions

Author: Bangser, M.
Publisher: National High School Center
Publication Date: 2008, August
Full text available online at: http://www.betterhighschools.org/docs/PreparingHSStudentsforTransition_073108.pdf

Abstract (written by WestEd)

The demands of the post-industrial economy necessitate that today's high school students obtain some formal post-secondary education. States, districts, and schools need to create systems to support students towards high school graduation and enrollment in post-secondary education. Decision makers need to consider the following issues:

1. Program Design: The needs of students in the district should determine when interventions should begin, how comprehensive they should be, and whether the approach should be broad-based or targeted.
   
2. Curriculum and Instruction: It is crucial to have alignment between high school, post-secondary, and workplace standards, professional development for teachers, high expectations and rigor for students, and an integration of academic and technical content.
   
3. Counseling, Assessment, and Other Supports: Early and ongoing counseling for students and their families; the use of early, regular, and meaningful assessment; and career awareness and workplace readiness are among the supports and incentives that are likely to keep students engaged and learning.
   
4. Collaboration and Joint Accountability: Collaborative partners should include post-secondary institutions, employers, and economic development agencies. There needs to be accountability throughout the entire K-16 education system. Examples of longitudinal data systems that help track student progress are provided.
   
5. Finances: Decision makers need to consider incurring additional expenditures for specific interventions, using financial incentives to foster a K-16 system, balancing competing multiple interests of stakeholders and participants in the education system, covering a range of costs for low-income students, structuring scholarship assistance to emphasize completion of the degree, and investing in quality implementation through utilizing outside expertise.