Powered-up: Alignment and Renewal of High Schools Southwest Comprehensive Center Regional High School Summit April

1. Powered-up: Alignment and Renewal of High SchoolsSouthwest Comprehensive Center Regional High School Summit April 1-3, 2009Dr. Helen DuffyNational High School Center American Institutes for Research

2. Overview 21st Century Skills/CTE � additional considerations P-20 Councils High School Tiered Interventions Initiative High School Renewal � Creating a portfolio of secondary schools: The San Diego Story Promising models for district capacity-building

3. National High School CenterMaximizing Attainment for All High School Students The National High School Center serves as the central source of research, information and expertise on high school improvement for the Regional Comprehensive Centers (RCCs) and the states they serve.

4. High schools should be places where: Students feel adults know and care about them Classes are supportive, engaging and demanding for students who begin at all levels of academic achievement Students receive the guidance, content knowledge and skills they need to plan for their future � whether their plans include college, technical schools or work

5. Common Goals: American Diploma Project and Partnership for 21st Century Skills Align high school standards with post-secondary and workplace expectations Upgrade high school course requirements so students can take a college- and work-ready curriculum Streamline the assessment system so that the tests students take in high school can serve as readiness tests for college and 21st century jobs Hold high schools and post-secondary institutions accountable for student success

6. 21st Century skills / CTE Brief activity Mike Rose: The Mind at Work Jeannie Oakes, Marisa Saunders: Beyond tracking: Multiple pathways to college, career and civic participation Hugh Mehan: Multiple perspectives on multiple pathways

7. P-20 Councils Overview: 38 States currently have P-16/P-20 councils ECS has identifies characteristics of P-16/P-20 councils (most are advisory) NV, AZ, GA For more information on P-16/20 Councils, see: http://www.ecs.org/html/educationissues/HighSchool/highschooldb1_intro.asp?topic=p-20

8. P-20 Considerations Stakeholders: Early childhood learning advocates Governor State legislators Challenges: Attend meetings (not their designees) Embrace participation, but limit numbers Balance K-12 vs. post-secondary members Vision/mission statement / scope Meeting frequency (e.g. quarterly)

9. P-16/20 Considerations (ECS) Priorities: Reflect a defined scope of work Represent areas that will gain traction for student success Represent work that individual agencies cannot accomplish alone Address areas of need through examination of data Include benchmarks Reflect accountability for council members

10. P-16/20 Considerations (ECS) Identification of resources: .5 FTE staff Legislative appropriation or funds built into budget External sources

11. High School Tiered Intervention Initiative(HSTII) Background: Addresses increased requests for guidance and tools to support secondary implementation Incorporates National RTI Center�s middle school initiative Expands upon Center on Instruction�s examination of state initiatives (Elementary and SPED-focused) Goals Process/activities Current status of the initiative

12. High School Tiered Intervention Initiative (HSTII) Differences of opinion exist as to whether it is relevant for high schools or what it might look like Tiered intervention is a framework that is variously portrayed as a way to: identify students with learning disabilities through an alternate approach reduce inappropriate placement in special education organize differentiated instruction organize school-wide prevention strategies The�perspective as to the purpose of tiered interventions seems linked to its perceived relevance for high schools Goals of tiered interventions at the secondary level may differ (percent proficient, EOCs, exit exams, graduation rates)

13. High School Renewal �The San Diego Story AIR role: to bridge and strengthen connections between research and practice Two BMGF grants funded $18 million Implemented July 2004 � Conversion of 3 large underperforming high schools to 14 independent small schools Four new start-up small schools in Fall 2007: Kearny High Educational Complex

14. Key features of small schools (SRN) Personalization and continuous relationships High standards and performance-based assessment Authentic curriculum Adaptive pedagogy Knowledgeable and skilled teachers Collaborative planning and professional development Family and community connections Democratic decision-making

15. Goal: Increase the number of college-ready high school graduates and improve post-secondary options (college, technical training or work Strategies: Build capacity to support and sustain initiative Develop transparency and accountability systems Inform and engage parents and community High School Renewal �The San Diego Story

16. Status - Year 5 14 have averaged 61.5 API points growth vs. 25 points for comprehensive HS. Overall multiple year gains accomplished by 12 out of 14. Western Association of Schools & College (WASC) accredited maximum 6 years for 9; 3 years for 4 and 2 years for 1 Great variance in student performance Leadership instability: 5 superintendents (two interims) New board members Other challenges: budget impact; staffing flexibility

17. Construction Tech Academy andThe School of International Business Common attributes: Focus on every student�s success Are data driven Lead with a sense of urgency Take initiative and don�t wait for support Core design elements with multiple pathways for college/career prep Well developed and supported teaching staff Unity of purpose with strong culture for performance accountability at adult and student level

18. Emerging work District Partnerships: Building Capacity at the District Level CA context: Supporting districts in Program Improvement Partnership story Promising model for capacity-building More systematic findings will follow

19. Upcoming products from the NHSC Updated U.S. and High School Fact Sheet Selected States Responses to Supporting High School English Language Learners (WestEd) �High School Course-taking Patterns for English Language Learners:A Case Study from California (WestEd) �Educating English Language Learners at the High School Level: A Coherent Approach to District and School-Level Support (AIR and WestEd)

20. Key points Importance of: Multiple pathways Instructional change Portfolios of schools Alignment across the system Capacity to support districts

21. Questions/Discussion Contact information: Helen Duffy National High School Center hduffy@air.org