HSTW works closely with district and school leaders in urban districts to connect the HSTW improvement framework to the unique challenges that urban schools and districts face. Network members use the HSTW Key Practices to improve classroom instruction, staff development and student achievement in large, urban high schools and middle grades schools. School improvement efforts in urban districts are focused on:

• Preparing teachers to provide differentiated instruction in their highly diverse classrooms
• Training career and technical education teachers to incorporate literacy and mathematics standards into their courses
• Redesigning the ninth-grade experience to decrease failure rates and increase the number of students graduating on time
• Increasing the quality of instructional planning

Urban Students Achieve When High Schools Implement Proven Practices