Systems of Support for Urban High Schools

Key Role of Large Urban Districts There are approximately 17,000 school districts in the US Approximately 66 (.04%) could be considered large urban school districts –Educate 13 percent of the nation’s students –Educate nearly 30 percent of all black and Hispanic students –Educate 25 percent of all poor students Must address these districts’ needs to improve student outcomes/close achievement gaps.

Core Challenges Are Common and Systemic The core challenges are common across districts –Student Engagement –Academic Literacy –Teacher Quality –Course Rigor These challenges exist above the level of the individual school, and require coherent, system-wide strategies Systemic strategies developed for some elementary level challenges (e.g., reading and math curricula and PD) Not as much progress at secondary level

Example: Adolescent Literacy Core Challenge: secondary students’ development of vocabulary and comprehension skills. Districts and states have developed coherent, system-wide strategies to address elementary level reading skills. –Curricula –Professional Development & Coaching –Pacing Guides –Regular Formative Assessments Districts need coherent, system-level frameworks and strategies for addressing secondary-level literacy challenges

Implications for Systems of Support for Secondary School Improvement Resources, and frameworks that go beyond school-by- school reform. Curricular and Instructional Frameworks –Curricular/Instructional Strategies for addressing key student needs (e.g., explicit literacy instruction across the curriculum). –Professional Development frameworks and strategies linked to these approaches Teacher Training and Recruitment –Pre-service and in-service training –Incentives and supports for recruitment and retention in high need schools

Implications for Systems of Support for Secondary School Improvement Data Systems –Formative assessments –Tracking course taking and student progress (across schools) –Tracking teacher performance. Supports for Student Engagement –Resources for restructuring where appropriate (and in combination with instructional strategies) –Resources and strategies for engaging communities and parents