High Schools That Work

Latest School Improvement Reports and Publications

SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program: Developing and Assisting Effective, Learning-Centered Principals Who Can Improve Schools and Increase Student Achievement    (November 2008)
The SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program is an effort to redesign educational leadership preparation and professional development programs. SREB recognizes the key role leadership plays in creating and sustaining schools that help all students achieve high standards. This brochure describes the initiative's goals, critical success factors, research and modules.
(07V54-R08); 8 pages; 2008;   free
      High Schools That Work - Brochures
      Leadership

Middle Grades Schools Take Their Role Seriously in Preparing Students for Rigorous High School Studies    (November 2008)
This newsletter focuses on strategies middle grades schools are using to prepare more students for success in high school.
This is part of a series of newsletters describing best practices for implementing the HSTW, MMGW and TCTW school improvement models. The series is based on presentations at the 2008 HSTW Staff Development Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
(08V26w); 10 pages; 2008;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW Newsletters
      High Schools That Work - None

Preparing Middle Grades Students for High School Success: A Comparative Study of Most- and Least-Improved Middle Grades Schools    (November 2008)
In an era of rising college and workplace requirements, completing a quality high school education is more important than ever before. But students cannot be expected to excel in rigorous high school studies if they do not receive adequate preparation in the middle grades. Using the results from the 2004 and 2006 Middle Grades Assessments, this report compares school and classroom practices of improving and non-improving middle grades schools and identifies actions schools can take to prepare more students for success in high school and beyond.
(08V22); 63 pages; 208;   $7.50;    $5 each for 10 or more
      High Schools That Work - HSTW Books
      Making Middle Grades Work
      Making Middle Grades Work

Reading and Writing Are Essential Skills for All Educational and Career Pathways    (November 2008)
This newsletter focuses on the importance of reading and writing skills in all educational and career pathways. The newsletter includes a variety of strategies for integrating reading and writing skills across the curriculum — in academic, career/technical and fine arts courses — in ways that improve student achievement in reading and writing and in the content area.
This is part of a series of newsletters describing best practices for implementing the HSTW, MMGW and TCTW school improvement models. The series is based on presentations at the 2008 HSTW Staff Development Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
(08V25w); 13 pages; 2008;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW Newsletters

Integrated Academic and Career/Technical Learning Shows Real-Life Applications of Education    (October 2008)
This newsletter includes vignettes about schools that are effectively integrating academic and career/technical (CT) studies to help more students find meaning in their learning and to motivate students to make great effort to achieve.
This is part of a series of newsletters describing best practices for implementing the HSTW, MMGW and TCTW school improvement models. The series is based on presentations at the 2008 HSTW Staff Development Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
(08V24w); 15 pages; 2008;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW Newsletters

Quality Career/Technical Programs Prepare Students to Succeed in a New, More Challenging Economy    (October 2008)
Quality career/technical education and its role in school improvement was a primary theme of the 2008 HSTW Staff Development Conference. This newsletter covers crucial topics in quality CTE, including assessing the quality and effectiveness of CT programs, preparing students to succeed in an increasingly demanding workplace, building effective career academies and engaging students in CT studies through real-world applications.
This is part of a series of newsletters describing best practices for implementing the HSTW, MMGW and TCTW school improvement models. The series is based on presentations at the 2008 HSTW Staff Development Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
(08V23w); 17 pages; 2008;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW Newsletters

High School Experiences That Influence Reading Proficiency: What Schools and States Can Do    (September 2008)
Using the HSTW Assessment Reading Test results, SREB has identified a set of literacy-based experiences that may contribute to higher reading achievement. This report explains the different school and classroom practices experienced by students reading above and below the Proficient level on the HSTW Assessment and provides actions that schools and states can take to improve students’ reading achievement.
(08V21); 20 pages; 2008;   $2;    $1 each for 10 or more
      High Schools That Work - Research Briefs

A Plan to Help Teachers and School Supervisors Implement Seven Tips to Improve Instructional Skills    (June 2008)
This report provides a plan that teachers and school supervisors can use to implement seven tips for improving instructional skills. Designed to be referred to regularly, it includes three levels of implementation, as well as recommendations for utilizing technology to support each tip.
(08T02w); 22 pages; 2008;   free
      High Schools That Work - Special Reports
      High Schools That Work - None

Making Career/Technical Studies an Essential Part of High School Reform    (May 2008)
In November 2007, SREB convened a forum of state leaders to focus on the role career/technical studies can play in improving achievement, high school completion rates and postsecondary attendance, and on state policies that can aid realization of this potential. Attendees’ discussions and presentations revealed promising practices and challenges being faced across the country. This report highlights the important work being done — and work still needed — to fully realize the potential of career/technical education in high school reform.
(08V12); 16 pages; 2008;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW Newsletters
      High Schools That Work - Special Reports

Planning for Improved Student Achievement: Ten Steps for Planning and Writing Standards-Based Units    (April 2008)
Data from national assessments and classroom visits show that many state assessments hold students to minimum standards, resulting in many students not being taught to true grade level. To help schools get significantly more students achieving at the proficient level, SREB has developed this guide to planning and writing standards-based units. Standards-based units focus on rigorous lessons, quality assessment and the personal attention that gives meaning to learning. This guide explains what standards-based units look like, how they work and how they can be developed, using a 10-step process.
(08V05); 64 pages; 2008;   $10
      High Schools That Work - Special Reports

Crafting A New Vision for High School: How States Can Join Academic and Technical Studies to Promote More Powerful Learning    (March 2008)
Too many students leave high school unprepared for employment and postsecondary studies. High-quality career/technical education, combined with a college-preparatory academic core, can help improve student achievement so more students graduate, and they graduate college- and career-ready. This report outlines challenges states face in combining technical and academic studies for improved learning, provides actions states can take to overcome these challenges, and highlights current best practices and policies. The challenges and actions in the report were derived from a forum that convened CTE leaders and other decision-makers from 12 states.
(08V07); 28 pages; 2008;   $5;    $2.50 each for 10 or more
      High Schools That Work - Special Reports
      High Schools That Work - College and Career Transitions

Redesigning the Ninth-Grade Experience: Reduce Failure, Improve Achievement and Increase High School Graduation Rates    (March 2008)
The ninth grade is a crucial year that defines for many students whether they will continue toward high school graduation, further study and employment, or will become disengaged and drop out. This report outlines the key conditions of an effective ninth-grade experience, designed to engage more students in challenging high school academic and career/technical studies.
(08V06); 16 pages; 2008;   $2.50;    $2 each for 10 or more
      High Schools That Work - Special Reports
      High Schools That Work - None
      Making Middle Grades Work

Getting Students Ready for College and Careers: Transitional Senior English    (January 2008)
This report describes and defines the reading and writing readiness standards that are needed to prepare students for postsecondary studies and careers. It provides samples of related school assessments to help teachers provide the support and class structure needed to get students to the readiness level expected by colleges. Also included are samples of learning activities to provide a structure for students to improve their literacy preparation.
(08V04); 64 pages; 2008;   $7.50;    $5 each for 10 or more
      High Schools That Work - Getting Ready for College and Careers
      High Schools That Work - Special Reports

Lost in Transition: Building a Better Path from School to College and Careers    (January 2008)
This report is based on 15 state education forums held in 2005 and 2006. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forums focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. This report summarizes the findings from the education forums; identifies key policy issues; and details actions states can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers.
(08V01); 28 pages; 2008;   $7.50
      High Schools That Work - College and Career Transitions
      High Schools That Work - Special Reports

District Action: Supporting Schools With Data, Technology and Strong Leadership to Raise Student Achievement    (December 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V56w); 7 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW 2007 Newsletters

Guiding Students to Meet Challenging Academic and Career Goals: Involving School Mentors, Parents and Community Leaders    (December 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V55w); 12 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW 2007 Newsletters

The 22nd Annual HSTW Staff Development Conference - Skills for Success in the 21st Century    (December 2007)
The theme of the 22nd annual summer conference, held July 9-12, 2008, in Nashville, Tennessee, is Skills for Success in the 21st Century.
(07V57); 36 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - Brochures

SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program: Developing and Assisting Effective, Learning-Centered Principals Who Can Improve Schools and Increase Student Achievement    (November 2007)
The SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program is an effort to redesign educational leadership preparation and professional development programs. The trifold brochure describes SREB’s critical success factors; outlines the basic principles of the leadership program; describes leadership publications objectives; and explains the leadership curriculum modules.
(07V51); 2 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - Brochures
      Leadership

Raising Achievement and Graduation Rates by Supporting Teachers in Developing Quality Classroom Instruction    (November 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V52w); 9 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW 2007 Newsletters

Supporting Ninth-Grade Students to Achieve in High School and Preparing Seniors for Postsecondary Education and a Career    (November 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V53w); 10 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW 2007 Newsletters

Advancing Students’ Academic and Technical Knowledge Through Technology and Effective School and Classroom Practices    (October 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V50w); 10 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW 2007 Newsletters

Schools Need Good Leaders Now: State Progress in Creating a Learning-Centered School Leadership System    (October 2007)
This report calls for states to designate school leadership as a visible state, district and school priority, focused on the principal’s role in leading schools toward higher student performance. It describes the progress that states should make to ensure that they have the learning-centered school leaders they need to succeed in the 21st century.
(07V48); 36 pages; 2007;   $5
      Leadership


Creating a School Culture to Increase the Achievement of All Students in Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science    (September 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V49w); 13 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW 2007 Newsletters

Making Grading and Instructional Changes to Motivate Diverse Groups of Students to Learn    (September 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V30w); 10 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW 2007 Newsletters

Project Lead The Way® Works: A New Type of Career and Technical Program    (September 2007)
This research brief shows how the Project Lead The Way® (PLTW) STEM-based curricula raise student achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and help get students ready for college and careers. Analyzing data from the 2006 HSTW Assessment, it looks at how PLTW students are more likely to exceed the HSTW course recommendations and are more prepared to pursue postsecondary studies and advances in the workplace.
(07V29); 20 pages; 2007;   $2;    $1 each for 10 or more
      High Schools That Work - Research Briefs

Teaching Academic Content Embedded in Career/Technical Studies at Shared-time Centers and Comprehensive High Schools    (September 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V31w); 10 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - HSTW 2007 Newsletters

Career/Technology Centers That Work: An Enhanced High Schools That Work Design For Technology Centers    (August 2007)
This brochure describes the Technology Centers That Work enhanced design for school improvement, including the HSTW framework of Goals and Key Practices, recommended core curriculum and key conditions. It outlines what participating technology centers agree to do to set up a literacy program, measure and report progress, and it discusses how to collaborate with HSTW to become a successful site for getting students ready for work and further education beyond the technology center.
(07V28); 14 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - Brochures
      High Schools That Work - Special Reports

Top 10 Ways to Improve Science Achievement: Actions for School Principals, Assistant Principals, Department Chairs and School Improvement Consultants    (August 2007)
High Schools That Work Assessment data show the need to improve science education in both the middle grades and high school. Science education increases students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This publication is designed to help principals, other school leaders and teachers identify rigorous instruction and successfully engage students in science.
(07V26w); 6 pages; 2007;   free
      High Schools That Work - Brochures

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For more information, call (404) 875-9211, Ext. 236 or email publications@sreb.org.