Best Practices
  Web Link
  Link   Breaking Ranks II
Breaking Ranks II is a template upon which to improve our nation's highs schools. The template outlines 7 cornerstone strategies and 31 recommendations to adddress the challenge of reforming today's high schools.
  Link   School Redesign Network: 10 Features of Effective Design
"An overview of design features found in successful small schools, including relationships among teachers and students, and curriculum and instructional practices that help all students achieve at high levels."
  Link   The Education Trust
“The Education Trust works for the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, pre-kindergarten through college, and forever closing the achievement gaps that separate low-income students and students of color from other youth."
  Link   International Center for Leadership in Education
"The International Center for Leadership in Education assists schools and districts to implement changes that transform their schools and then showcases their results."
  Link   Coalition of Essential Schools
A network of schools based on ten common principles and creating and sustaining personalized, equitable, and intellectually challenging schools.
  Link   Expeditionary Learning Schools Outward Bound
"Expeditionary Learning Schools Outward Bound (ELS), a comprehensive K-12 educational design, combines rigorous academic content and real world projects -- learning expeditions -- with active teaching and community service."
  Link   Early College High Schools
Early College High Schools are small schools designed so that high school students can earn both a high school diploma and an Associates degree or up to two years of a Bachelors degree.
  Link   Big Picture Schools
The Big Picture Company’s mission is to catalyze vital changes in American education by generating and sustaining innovative, personalized schools that work in tandem with the real world of their greater community.
  Link   Noble High School
Noble High School, a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools, represents a school that has implemented reforms to improve student achievement for all.
  Link   Mapleton Public Schools
Mapleton Public Schools, a suburb of Denver, Colorado, has transformed its entire school district into small, personalized schools representing several of the research-based models listed here.
  Link   Indiana Career Majors Initiative
An eight step Career-Majors action plan that outlines how to set up a thriving career majors system.
  Link   Portage High School, Indiana
Portage High School, offering a number of career and technical programs, is an example of a school following the Indiana Career Model.
  Link   National Career Academy Coalition
This site is for the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC). Its purpose is to create and support a national network of existing and emerging high school career academies.
  Link   The Career Academy Support Network
The Career Academy Support Network (CASN) offers comprehensive support and staff development for Small Learning Communities and Career Academies.
  Link   Madison High School
Madison High School, a "Breakng Ranks" school with several academies, AVID, and improved student achievement.
  Link   Todd Beamer High School, Washington
Todd Beamer High School in Washington offers several different academies organized around both academic and career interests.
  Link   AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
"AVID is a fifth- through twelfth-grade program to prepare students in the academic middle for four-year college eligibility. It has a proven track record in bringing out the best in students, and in closing the achievement gap."
  Link   Tracking
Tracking can often be held responsible for continuing inequity and enhancing the achievement gap in schools. This article discusses some of the issues around tracking.
  Link   Alternatives to Tracking
Many of the schools and practices included in this section use heterogeneous grouping--in other words, they do not track. This article discusses some of the work that's involved in "detracking" schools.
  Link   9-10/11-12 High School
The Oshkosh Area School District has been researching a 9-10/11-12 high school split. They have decided not to pursue this model, but their site addresses some common questions.
 
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