Improving Achievement and High School Completion Rates

SouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-051Improving Achievement and High School Completion Rates:How High Schools Are Doing BothArkansas High School SummitApril 4, 2005SouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-052Improving Achievement and Completion RatesEstablish goals and work to meet them.High stakes assessmentHigh school completionPostsecondary readinessHigh school readinessNinth-grade failure ratesEarn postsecondary creditEarn national employer certification examsSouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-053Improving Achievement and Completion Rates1. Eliminate low-level courses, align courses to standards and raise graduation requirements. –RigorSouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-054Four credits in college-prep/honors EnglishFour mathematics credits –Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II and aboveThree science credits at the college-prep level; four credits with a block scheduleThree years of social studiesMathematics in the senior yearImproving Achievement and Completion Rates2. More students complete a challenging core curriculum.SouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-055Industry-certified teachers and programs Students working for college credit and/or employer certification examActive advisory committeesAccess to off-campus career/technical courses –Web-based, etc. Youth apprenticeship opportunitiesIntegrated academic studiesImproving Achievement and Completion Rates3. Schools are organized around broad career pathways that provide students access to high-quality career/technical studies. –RelevanceSouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-05679%49%63%41%4 Years of Mathematics4 Years of Science274 PLTW Students274 Matched CTE StudentsDifferences are significant at the .001 level.Source: Special Analyses of 2004 HSTWAssessment DataImproving Achievement and Completion RatesComparison of Pre-engineering Students’ Course-taking Patterns with Similar CTE StudentsSouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-057Teachers state amount and quality of work for an “A” or a “B”.Teachers are frequently available for extra help.Students have one or more hours of homework each day.Students revise written work often.Students work hard to meet high standards.Source: Special Analyses of 2004 HSTWAssessment DataImproving Achievement and Completion Rates4. More students experience classrooms with high expectations.SouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-058Students often revise written work for quality.Students write in-depth explanations.Students complete short writings in English. Students often use word processing.Students discuss topics with other students.Students read technical materials in class.Source: Special Analyses of 2004 HSTWAssessment DataImproving Achievement and Completion Rates5. More students have to use reading and writing for learning in all classes. --EngagementSouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-059Improving Achievement and Completion Rates6. Students take more higher-level mathematics courses and experience effective instruction strategies. –Relevance and EngagementStudents complete four or more mathematics courses.Students work with others on assignments. Students work in groups to brainstorm how to solve problems.Students use graphing calculators.Teachers link mathematics to real-life problems.Students use mathematics in career/technical assignments.SouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-0510Improving Achievement and Completion Rates7. More students take the right science courses experience effective instruction strategies. –Relevance and EngagementCompleted at least 3 of the following: CP physical science, CP biology, Biology II, anatomy, CP chemistry, Physics, AP science.Took 4 or more science courses.Use science equipment to do science activities.SouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-0511Improving Achievement and Completion Rates7. More students take the right science courses experience effective instruction strategies. –Relevance and EngagementTeachers link science to real life. Students worked with a team on science project. Students prepared a written report on science project.Students read an assigned book or article dealing with science.SouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-0512Offer before/after school teacher-led extra-help sessionsTutorial classes during the school day Peer tutoringComputer-based instructionImmediate retake opportunities for failed courses –after school, summer Web-based instructionImproving Achievement and Completion Rates8. More students get extra help from teachers when needed and perceive that it is beneficial. –Relevance and RelationshipsSouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-0513Helping students set challenging goals, providing feedback and support to achieve the goalsHaving an adviser-advisee program that helps students and parents set goals, plan a program of high school studies to achieve the goals and that pairs each student with an adult mentor/adviserImproving Achievement and Completion Rates9. Students have an adviser or trusted mentor to provide guidance. –Support and RelationshipsSouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-0514Getting students ready for CP English: a ninth grade catch-up courseGetting students ready for real Algebra: a ninth grade catch-up courseSummer ProgramCurriculum alignment with middle grades schoolsOrientation of students and parents to the demands of high schoolImproving Achievement and Completion Rates10. Schools formalize a middle grades to ninth grade transition program. –TransitionSouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-0515Use the senior year to:Allow students who are ready to earn college creditGet unprepared students ready for collegePrepare those not planning for college to earn a certificate or pass an employer certification exam“Save the seniors”Improving Achievement and Completion Rates11. Schools formalize a high school to college and career transition program. –TransitionSouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-0516Being active in a network for school improvementSupporting teachers with quality staff developmentAligning activities to school improvement planImproving Achievement and Completion Rates12. Schools involve teachers in a continuous school improvement initiative. –LeadershipSouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-0517Emphasis on high expectations*Emphasis on literacy across the curriculum*Challenging and engaging mathematics curriculumand instruction*Challenging and engaging science curriculum and instruction**Emphasis on providing timely guidance to students*Completion of recommended academic curriculum*High-quality career/technical studies* Differences are significant at the .01 level** Differences are significant at the .05 levelSource: Special Analysis of 2004 HSTWAssessment DataAt high-achieving, high-completion schools, more students had “moderate” or “intensive” experiences with:SouthernRegionalEducationBoardHSTWAR HS Summit 4-4-0518High-performing High Schools Are About:Standards/Assessment/AccountabilityRigor/FocusRelevant/Engaging AssignmentsRelationships/SupportImproved TransitionsLeadership