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 32 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 Contracted School Network – HSTW provides services to more than 140 high schools and middle grades schools in 31 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 – Ninety-eight high schools in 12 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 – This initiative includes three networks — the University Leadership Development Network, the Leadership Academy Network and the LEAD District/University Partners Network — that are working to redesign educational leadership preparation and professional development programs. The thrust of this work is to create leadership programs that prepare aspiring principals and school leadership teams to aggressively lead improvement in curriculum, instruction and student achievement.

Making Middle Grades Work – SREB’s middle grades consortium is working with more than 200 schools in 16 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.

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.