transforming high school

"With the exception of exit exams, high school policy has changed little over the last two decades, barely distinguishing high schools from other levels of schooling and continuing to track advantaged students into college and disadvantaged students into an uncertain future with few skills. As a result, although we've learned a great deal over the last couple of decades about reform in elementary schools, high school reform is still largely uncharted territory."

In this issue, we explore some of the ways that our region is changing that territory: radically re-engineering large comprehensive high schools into smaller, more personalized academies and learning communities; encouraging all students—not just an elite few—to take Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses; tying curriculum to the world outside the classroom; using data to drive decisionmaking. It's not an easy journey. We hear the frustrations of administrators and the complaints of students. But, we also sense the exhilaration of being on the cutting edge of a movement seeking to change a model that's more than 100 years old.

Download this issue as a PDF (48pp., 3.6M)

Features

Five Paths to Success
Throughout the region, high schools are trying different strategies to make learning more personal, relevant, and challenging.
When Big Seems Small: Southridge High School (Oregon)
Serious Goals, Playful Environment: Coeur d'Alene High School (Idaho)
Wired World: Highland Tech High (Alaska)
Building on the Past: Lewis and Clark High School (Washington)
Classroom Without Walls: Corvallis High School (Montana)

Great Expectations
In rural Central Washington, one school shows how to overcome the twin barriers of poverty and language.

Anatomy of Change
Breaking up is hard to do, but sometimes it's the best solution. Facing declining enrollment and problems with AYP, Portland's Marshall High School begins the process of reconfiguring into smaller schools.
Web exclusive: NWREL and Smaller Learning Communities
Q&A: The head of Oregon's Small Schools Initiative weighs "revolutionary" versus "evolutionary" change.

The Two R's: Literacy Lessons for High School
A diploma doesn't necessarily mean Johnny can read and write. At Vancouver's Skyview High School, a dynamic teacher brings passion and problem solving to literacy issues.
Web exclusive: Practical Advice on Reading Across the Curriculum

Gallery
Two students give us a glimpse into their world.

Web exclusive: Governors Take on High School Reform

Web exclusive: Key Lessons From Carnegie's Schools for a New Society

departments

Forum

Editor's Note

Voices: My Take on Teachers

Research Brief: The Challenge of Reinventing High School

Resources
Web exclusive: Resource Annex

Region at a Glance

End Note

Web exclusive: Money Matters
Where to look for funding

Colophon

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