Helping all students graduate ready for college, work and citizenship
NCSL Annual Convention, Denver CO, 7/23/02
Helping all students graduate ready for college, work and citizenship
NCSL Annual Convention, Denver CO, 7/23/02
Budget crisis in 40 states “No Child Left Behind” questions Focus on elementary literacy
With a full agenda…
Why high schools? Least effective Gross inequities Most intractable High stakes
Students that don’t leave high schoolcollege ready are unlikely to enter economic and civic mainstream
Ineffective and inequitable
Science
Math
Science
Math
Science Math
4th Grade 8th Grade 10th Grade
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
White Black Hispanic
78%
56% 54%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Gra
duati
on R
ate
U.S. Student Relative Performance of 41 Countries Taking TIMMS
U.S. High School Graduation Rates
U.S. has high-performing elementary and higher education
But, high schools are among worst in the world, especially in serving disadvantaged students
Source: US Dept. of Education; NCES; Common Core of Data; Manhattan Institute
Transforming our secondary schools fromanonymity & incoherence to rigor & relationship
Grade & test focused
Command & control
Independent struggle
Passive coverage
Isolation & anonymity
InstructionInstruction
AssessmentAssessment
ProgressProgress
RelationshipsRelationships
ClimateClimate
Advocate for every student
Professional learning community
Frequent & varied performance assessment
Demonstration
Focused, relevant, & rigorous
A lab subject
Teaching LoadTeaching Load 70-80 students
TeachingTeaching
TechnologyTechnology
CurriculumCurriculum
ExpectationsExpectations
140-160 students
Credit accumulation
Unfocused, irrelevant & inconsistent
Varied by track Common goals and high expectations for all
In-depth active inquiry
Integrated & accessible
Respect & responsibility
4 types of schools Start with: Example: Denmark:
1. Academic Content Bard EC, GymnasiumF. Douglas
2. Applied Work HTH/NTH*, HTX/HHX,Art, CES 100 voc. paths
3. Alternative Student Met, MNC*, Production school,Diploma+ Individual
options
4. Affiliated Worldview Catholic Muslim
Every secondary portfolio needs diverse options thatprepare all students for college, work & citizenship
*High Tech High (San Diego), New Tech High (Napa), Met (Providence), Minn. New Country (Henderson, MN)
What states should do1. Standards, assessment & accountability:
Adopt college-ready/linked standards Develop online standards-based tests Use multiple accountability measures &
robust intervention strategies
2. Provide adequate need-based funding
3. Promote college awareness, access & aid
4. Start new secondary schools & remove incentives for mega-schools
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