Rethinking High School: Five Profiles of Innovative Models for Student Success

Author: Huebner, T.A., Calisi, G.
Publisher: WestEd
Publication Date: 2005
Full text available online at: http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/gates.profiles.pdf

Description (written by WestEd)

With college seen as a minimum requirement for a growing number of living-wage jobs, the economic future is not looking bright for the large number of U.S. students who aren’t even graduating from high school. Some are wondering whether shrinking the size of America’s high schools can help, not just to keep more students in school, but, equally important, to prepare greater numbers for college. At the request of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has committed $800 million to fund 2,000 small schools nationwide, WestEd took a look at five such schools. What is happening at these select schools? Who are they educating? How are the students doing? This report details preliminary findings and recommendations for further study.

This study resulted in six key findings from the model schools studied:

  • The schools serve ethnically and socioeconomically diverse students — and, in doing so, reach students who have not succeeded in a traditional education setting. The student population at the five schools is primarily Black or Hispanic, ranging from 53-83% (Black) and 43-86% (Hispanic). A large percentage of students lives below the poverty level, ranging across the schools from 35-85%.
  • The schools are highly sought after by students of all abilities, although many of the students enter performing below grade level; each school has a waiting list of approximately 200 students.
  • Students engage in rigorous and engaging curricula and enroll in advanced placement classes.
  • Schools develop and maintain supportive learning environments.
  • Attendance rates at all model sites are higher than the district average.
  • Students are achieving academic success, including increased scores on state academic achievement tests, high graduation rates, and high college admission rates.

    Based on interviews with principals, this study identifies a number of elements they consider essential to school success:
  • high-quality teachers and staff, with a strong leader, focused on a common mission and vision;
  • an innovative, clear plan designed to provide personalized and rigorous learning;
  • a focus on providing a strong curriculum; and
  • flexibility in school governance with autonomy from outside control.









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