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 school college ready are unlikely to enter economic and civic mainstream

Ineffective and inequitable 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 from anonymity & incoherence to rigor & relationship Grade & test focused Command & control Independent struggle Passive coverage Isolation & anonymity Instruction Assessment Progress Relationships Climate Advocate for every student Professional learning community Frequent & varied performance assessment Demonstration Focused, relevant, & rigorous A lab subject Teaching Load students Teaching Technology Curriculum Expectations 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: Start with: Example:Denmark: 1. Academic Content Bard EC,Gymnasium F. Douglas 2. Applied Work HTH/NTH*,HTX/HHX, Art, CES100 voc. paths 3. Alternative StudentMet, MNC*,Production school, Diploma+Individual options 4. Affiliated WorldviewCatholicMuslim Every secondary portfolio needs diverse options that prepare 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 do 1. 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