Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning October 5, 2010

2 North Carolina New Schools Project All Students Graduate Ready for College, Work & Life History Established in 2003 Initiative of the Office of the Governor & NC Education Cabinet With the support of the Gates Foundation and others. Mission To spark and support systemic, sustainable innovation in secondary schools across the state so that all students graduate prepared for college, work and life.

Early College High Schools Achieve Results: Strong Academic Gains Nine of every ten of early college high schools outperformed comparison high schools in their school districts on the state’s ABC assessment system in Nineteen early college high schools had a combined cohort graduation rate of 90 percent in 2010, with nine of these schools posting graduation rates exceeding 95 percent. 3

As a measure of academic rigor, 31.1 percent of early college high school students were enrolled in Algebra II in , compared to a 17.9 percent Algebra II participation rate for traditional schools in North Carolina. 4

Early College High Schools Achieve Results: Students Remain in School ●The dropout rate in for early college high schools was 0.7 percent versus 4.27 percent for all schools. ●Of the 60 early college high schools in operation in , 55 of them – 92 percent – had no dropouts during the critically important ninth grade year. ●The ninth grade promotion rate, a leading indicator of eventual graduation, was 98 percent for early college high schools in compared to 85 percent for all North Carolina schools. 5

Early College High Schools Achieve Results: Students Perform in College ● While 70 percent of typical students earned a grade of “C” or better in community college courses in , 75 percent of early college students did so. ● Sixty percent of graduates in graduated with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. 6

7 ● Policy coherence ● Design coherence ● Instructional coherence Comprehensive and Coherent Approach Drives Quality and Scalability

8 Design coherence Consistent implementation strategy in every site Comprehensive approach to school development Clear standards and language – Culture of expectations paired with supports for success Comprehensive and Coherent Approach Drives Quality and Scalability

Ready for college Personalization Redefined professionalism Powerful teaching and learning Purposeful design Design Principles Define Schools Where All Students Graduate Ready for College, Careers and Life 9

10 Integrated School Support Services (Integrated System of School Support Services, or IS4) Teaching For Results Ongoing Staff Support Coaching Leadership Institute Schools implement Design Principles to achieve strong student outcomes Peer network of schools Web-based resources District leaders Principals Teachers

11 Instructional coherence: Common instructional framework Emphasis on inquiry and engagement Standards aligned with post secondary success Comprehensive and Coherent Approach Drives Quality and Scalability

Contact Information Fay Agar Director, Early College High School Initiative NC New Schools Project 4600 Marriott Drive, Suite 510 Raleigh, NC (919) g 12 NewSchoolsProject.org