High Schools That Work – The HSTW Goals, Key Practices and key conditions are a framework for whole-school improvement at more than 1,200 high school sites in 31 states. HSTW works with the states to deliver technical assistance, professional development, publications and assessment services to the sites. The Annual HSTW Staff Development Conference inspires and informs some 7,500 administrators, teachers and counselors seeking ways to raise standards and achievement.

HSTW Direct Services Network – HSTW provides services to more than 200 high schools and middle grades schools in 22 states that have received grants to adopt HSTW or MMGW as an improvement design. The states, districts and schools are committed to a three-year plan of improving student achievement by providing challenging academic and career/technical programs, setting high expectations for students and teachers, and offering quality professional development.

HSTW Urban Network – More than 130 schools in 13 urban districts are working with HSTW to advance student achievement. Urban districts are asked to raise graduation requirements, align the curriculum with national and state standards, and support schools in developing and implementing improvement plans. Urban schools are seeking to raise expectations, implement the HSTW Key Practices and offer site-specific professional development.

Leadership Initiative – The mission of the SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program is to create leadership programs that effectively prepare principals and school leadership teams to lead improvement in curriculum, instruction and student achievement. This work is accomplished through researching and publishing reports on critical leadership issues, providing technical assistance to states, and training school leadership teams to implement and guide strategies for school improvement..

Making Middle Grades Work – SREB’s middle grades consortium works with more than 350 schools in 18 states to raise the academic achievement of middle grades students and to increase the percentages of students who reach the Basic and Proficient levels as defined by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Schools implement a comprehensive improvement framework that emphasizes rigorous academic courses to prepare students for challenging high school studies.

Project Lead The Way^® – This national engineering program builds partnerships among public schools, postsecondary institutions and the business community in preparing more students to enter the fields of engineering technology. PLTW, Inc. offers both a middle grades curriculum and a high school program of study. Schools receive assistance from SREB in staff development, counselor training, equipment selection and program planning.

Technology Centers That Work ­ Technology Centers That Work was established in 2007 to assist shared-time career/technology centers to improve student achievement and produce graduates who can achieve in high-demand, high-skill, high-wage career fields. The TCTW design is based on the HSTW design, with modifications that address the specific needs of shared-time centers. More than 50 centers in eight states participate in activities to promote increased academic performance.
 

Successful Transitions:

• Middle Grades to High School —This initiative helps more urban students succeed in making the critical transition from the middle grades to high school. The effort targets teachers and administrators in grades seven through 10, focusing on the ninth grade.
   
• High School to College and Careers —With support from the U.S. Department of Adult and Vocational Education and a working agreement with the League for Innovation in the Community College, this initiative will provide technical assistance services to 15 postsecondary institutions and their high school partners.

For more information, e-mail Gene Bottoms at gene.bottoms@sreb.org.