There's much going on in the world of secondary education. Here you will find a variety of research/reports/articles highlighting many of those issues. Posting here does not imply Georgia Partnership endorsement.
Preparing Students for College - What High Schools Are Doing and How Their Actions Influence Ninth Graders' College Attitudes, Aspirations and Plans
National Association for College Admission Counseling
College-going rates could go up significantly if students in high school received counseling as freshmen, and not just when they are juniors and seniors. Related story. (May 2013)
The Nation's Report Card - Economics 2012 (National Assessment of Educational Progress at Grade 12)
Institute of Education Sciences
These are national results for 12th-grade economics students who were tested in market, national, and international economies (ECS Connection). (May 2013)
ACT National Curriculum Survey - 2012
ACT
This is a nationwide survey of educational practices and expectations. Conducted every three to five years by ACT, the survey collects data about what entering college students should know and be able to do to be ready for college-level coursework in English, math, reading, and science. Introduction. Related story. (April 2013)
Opportunity by Design: New High School Models for Student Success
Carnegie Corporation
This report calls for a focus on how schools use teaching, time, technology, money, and other resources to bring all students to the much higher levels of achievement necessary to meet the demands of Common Core State Standards and, eventually, Next Generation Science Standards. Related story. Press Release. Introduction. (March 2013)
Dating Trajectories From Middle to High School: Association With Academic Performance and Drug Use
University of Georgia
This study identifies trajectories of dating from sixth to twelfth grade and describes the academic performance (teacher-rated study skills and high school dropout) and self-reported drug use associated with these trajectories, in a diverse sample randomly selected in sixth grade. Related story. (March 2013)
The Impact of Alternative Grade Configurations on Student Outcomes Through Middle and High School
Harvard Graduate School of Education
The report finds students moving from elementary to middle school suffer a sharp drop in student achievement in the transition year. These achievement drops persist through 10th grade. Also, middle school entry increases absences and is associated with higher grade 10 dropout rates. Related story. Related research. Related blog. (March 2013)
Providing High School Feedback - Bridging the divide between K-12 and postsecondary education
Data Quality Campaign
Providing high school feedback is crucial to bridging the gap between high school and college - what works at the school, what doesn't, and how to improve. (January 2013)
Knocking at the College Door - Projections of High School Graduates
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
This presents graduation projections through the class of 2028 by state and race/ethnicity. They indicate that the era of annually increasing graduating classes through about 2011 is ending, while graduating classes are rapidly becoming more diverse. Related story. (January 2013)
Homework Doesn't Elevate School Grades But Could Boost Standardized Test Scores
Indiana University
A recent study led by an Indiana University professor found that traditional homework assignments won’t improve a student’s grades but could boost standardized test scores. Related story. (December 2012)
College Courses in High School: A Strategy for College Readiness
Jobs for the Future
There is no panacea when it comes to education policy, but a growing body of research suggests that allowing students in high school to complete even a single college course could significantly increase their chances of attending college and eventually graduating. Related story. (October 2012)
High school rigor and good advice: Setting up students to succeed (At a glance)
Center for Public Education
The demand for workers with a college education is growing faster than the supply of graduates. By 2018, we will have produced 3 million fewer college graduates than the labor market demands (Carnevale, 2010). (October 2012)
High school rigor and good advice: Setting up students to succeed
National School Boards Assn.
Taking high-level math in high school as well as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses can have a dramatic impact on whether a student finishes college. (Press release and related story) (October 2012)
Effects of High School Course-Taking on Secondary and Postsecondary Success
American Education Research Journal
This study examines the association between students' high school course-taking in various subjects and their 10th-grade test scores, high school graduation, entry into postsecondary, and postsecondary performance. (June 2012)
The Condition of Education
National Center for Education Statistics
The Condition of Education (COE) is a congressionally mandated annual report that summarizes important developments and trends in education using the latest available statistics. The Condition of Education 2012 contains 49 indicators, plus a Closer Look. Related story. (May 2012)
Is High School Tough Enough?
The Center for Public Education
This report examines the research behind effective curricular strategies for promoting high school rigor. It focuses on strategies commonly used by districts to strengthen the high school curriculum: Advanced Placement courses, higher-level math courses, Dual Enrollment programs, and Early College High Schools. Relating story. (March 2012)
8th Annual AP Report to the Nation
College Board
This reports on each state's efforts to improve high school
achievement by involving greater segments of the student population — and traditionally underserved minority students in particular — in rigorous AP courses. (February 2012)
The Impact of Grade Configurations on Student Outcomes Through Middle and High School
Harvard University
This report uses statewide administrative date from Florida to estimate the impact of attending public schools with different fgrade configutaions on student achievement through grade 10. (November 2011)
America's High School Graduates: Results from the 2009 High School Transcript Study
National Assessment of Educational Progress
According to this study, students who take more rigorous high school courses are more likely to perform well on achievement tests. The High School Transcript Study reports credits earned for three types of courses: core academic, other academic, and other courses. (April 2011)
Early College Proving Its Worth
Jobs for the Future
Several reports underline the value and importance of the Early College program that has now spread to 28 states including Georgia. Relating Education Week article. (April 2011)
State Test Score Trends Through 2008-09, Part 3: Student Achievement at 8th Grade
Center on Education Policy
This report, which provides a detailed look at student performance on 8th grade state reading and math tests, tracks testing data by student race, ethnicity, income, and gender from as early as 2002 through 2009. (April 20
The highest-performing teachers appear to be underrepresented in economically disadvantaged middle schools - but the pattern is less pervasive at the elementary level (ECS). (April 2011)
The ability of middle grades schools to get more students "high school ready" is an essential step toward the larger goal of getting more students in high school to graduate "college and work ready"—and mathematics is key. (February 2011)
Educators widely recognize that the quality of preparation in middle school often determines whether our young people will succeed in high school and beyond. (February 2011)
Participation and Success in the Advanced Placement Program Continue to Grow in SREB States
Southern Regional Education Board
SREB states continue to increase participation of high school students in the Advanced Placement (AP) program, outpacing the national rate for the eighth straight year in 2009. (November 2010)
Mind the Gaps: How College Readiness Narrows Achievement Gaps in College Success
ACT
The data in this report shows the types of policies that work to improve college and career readiness and success. (October 2010)
Closing the Expectations Gap 2010
Achieve
Each year, on the anniversary of the 2005 National Education Summit on High Schools, Achieve releases a 50-state progress report on the alignment of high school policies with the demands of college and careers. (March 2010)
Gaining Ground in the Middle Grades: Why Some Schools Do Better
EdSource
The study surveyed more than 4,000 California teachers, principals, and superintendents about a wide range of middle grades practices. (February 2010)
Students in Rural Schools Have Limited Access to Advanced Math Courses
Carsey Institute
Students in rural areas and small towns have less access to higher-level mathematics courses in school than their peers elsewhere. (Fall 2009 report, posted here January 2010)
Engaging the Voices of Students - 2007 & 2008
High School Survey of Student Engagement
Results from this survey reveal that students are looking to be interacted with, cared about, challenged and valued (ECS Connection). (December 2009)
Achieving Excellence in Secondary Education: Georgia's Unfinished Business
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education
This report assess where Georgia's secondary system currently stands and where it needs to improve. (November 2009)
2008 GED Testing Program Statistical Report
General Educational Development Testing Service
The report provides candidate demographic and GED tests performance statistics as well as historical information on the GED testing program. (August 2009)
Raising Rigor, Getting Results - Lessons Learned from AP Expansion
National Governor's Association for Best Practices
This report looks at the two year effort by the NGA to expand Advanced Placement programs in six states that resulted in a 65 percent increase in student enrollment and an even bigger increase among minority students. (August 2009)
Making High School Students into “College Material”
mdrc
Too many students graduate from high school unprepared for the rigors of postsecondary education. As a result, many new intiatives are being developed. (July 2009)
Keeping Middle Grades Students on the Path to Success in High School
Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)
This report, part of the Challenge to Lead education goals series, documents the stall of progress in middle grades reading and math achievement. (June 2009)
Growing Pains in the Advanced Placement Program: Do Tough Trade-Offs Lie Ahead?
Thomas B. Fordham Institute
This study that in a survey of 1,000 Advanced Placement (AP) teachers, more than half fear that looser enrollment requirements for students are leading to a dilution of course quality. (May 2009)
A Critical Mission: Making Adolescent Reading an Immediate Priority in SREB States - The Report of the Committee to Improve Reading and Writing in Middle and High Schools
Southern Regional Education Board
This report urges states to develop comprehensive adolescent literacy policies that establish improvement in middle grades and high school reading and writing as the most immediate critical priority for public schools. (May 2009)
Reengaging High School Dropouts
MDRC
This report presents very early results from a rigorous, independent evaluation of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, an intensive residential program that aims to “reclaim the lives” of young people ages 16 to 18 who have dropped out of school. (March 2009)
20 Ways AP is Bad - Not!
Washington Post Education Columnist Jay Matthews
A group with a history of opposing Advanced Placement programs in U.S. schools draws return fire from this writer. Read and decide. (March 2009)
Course Credit Accrual and Dropping Out
National Center for Education Statistics
This brief examines the number of credits earned by high school students and the relationship between course credit accrual and dropping out. (February 2009)
Accelerating the Agenda: Actions to Improve America's High Schools
National Governors Association
Despite tougher coursework requirements and other improvements, states need to do much more to make sure high school students are poised for success, including better defining what constitutes career and college readiness. (December 2008)
2008 National Survey of Student Engagement
The National Survey of Student Engagement
This 10th annual report provides comparative data on student experiences at four-year institutions nationwide. (November 2008)
The Misplaced Math Student - Lost in Eighth-Grade Algebra
The Brown Center, The Brookings Institution
Peering beneath the hood of a national push to have all students take algebra by 8th grade, this study finds that many of the lowest-performing middle-schoolers are in way over their heads. (September 2008)
Algebra II End-of-Course Exam: 2008 Annual Report
American Diploma Project/Achieve
This report shows students across the country struggled with advanced algebra on a first-of-its-kind test in that subject. (September 2008)
Florida's Middle School Reading Coaches. What Do They Do? Are They Effective?
Rand Corporation
Despite recent progress in reading achievement among elementary school children, literacy levels among U.S. adolescents remain low. (September 2008)
Ensuring College Success: Scaffolding Experiences for Students and Faculty in an Early College School
The Woodrow Wilson Foundation National Fellowship Foundation
This case study looks at the success of students at the STAR Early College School in New York, where many who otherwise might have struggled to finish high school have earned college credit. (August 2008)
State High School Exit Exams: Moving Toward End-of-Coures Exams
Center on Education Policy
This report examines the new developments in the implementation of state high school exit exams in the 26 states (including Georgia) that currently implement or plan to implement these tests. (August 2008)
Setting the Stage for New High Schools - Municipal Leadership in Supporting High School Alternatives
National Leaguge of Cities - Institute for Youth, Families and Education
This report examines how mayors and other municipal leaders in seven cities across the country (Atlanta; Boston; Corpus Christi; Hartford; Phoenix; San Jose; and Seattle) are expanding alternatives for students who struggle in traditional high school settings. (November 2007, Posted July 2008)
High School Exit Exam Serves as Good Predictor
Public Policy Institute of California
Using the San Diego Unified School District as a test case, this report predicts passage of the California's high school exit exam as early as 4th grade. (July 2008)
Rethinking the Cost of Small High Schools Project
Education Resource Strategies
This is a recently concluded three-year effort aimed at building understanding and tools that would support districts in creating cost-effective systems of high-performing urban high schools. (July 2008)
Career Academies - Long Term Impacts on Labor Market Outcomes, Educational Attainment, and Transition to Adulthood
MDRC
This evaluation of nine career academies finds that eight years after graduation, participants had significantly higher employment and earnings than similar students. The findings could be particularly relevant to low-income, minority students. (June 2008)
The Qualities that Differentiate High-achieving and Low-achieving High-poverty Rural High Schools: A Transformative Mixed Methods Study
The University of Oklahoma
This study suggests that it may be community involvement and a school's commitment to student excellence which determine whether rural schools are high- or low-achieving. (June 2008)
The High Cost of High School Dropouts - What the Nation Pays for Inadequate High Schools
Alliance for Excellent Education
According to this report, had the more than 1.2 million students who dropped out of the Class of 2008 graduated, the nation's economy would have benefitted from an additional $319 billion in income over the course of their life times. (June 2008)
SAT Studies Show Test's Strengths in Predicting College Success
College Board
The revamped SAT, expanded in 2005 to include a writing test, predicts college success no better than the old test, and not quite as well as a student's high school grades. (June 2008)
College - Ready in Mathematics
WestEd
This report profiles three public high schools that are successfully preparing diverse students to be college and career ready. (June 2008)
Crafting a New Vision for High Schools - How States Can Join Academic and Technical Studies to Promote More Powerful Learning
Southern Regional Education Board - SREB
This report calls for states to align their career and technical curriculum with college-readiness standards, conduct end-of-course assessments, and establish panels of college faculty, high school teachers, school officials, and employers to devise curriculum frameworks and course syllabuses. (May 2008)
Implementation Study of Smaller Learning Communities: Final Report
U.S. Department of Education
This report describes the strategies and practices used in implementing SLCs based on surveys and case studies of the first cohort of grantee schools funded under this program, as well as analysis of annual performance reports submitted by SLC grantees. (May 2008)
Early College High School Initiative - Empowering Students: How Georgia College Early College Changes Student Aspirations
Jobs For The Future
This case study examines the features of the Georgia program, which deliberately recruits students from the community who perform below grade level. (May 2008)
Additional Learning Opportunities in Rural Areas - Needs, Successes and Challenges
Center for American Progress
Expanded learning opportunities, longer school days and years, and after-school programs should be used to help disadvantaged students not only in cities but also in rural areas, where students from low-income families are even less likely to complete high school, says this report. (April 2008)
Engaged for Success - Service Learning as a Tool for High School Dropout Prevention
Civic Enterprises
This report arguing that service-learning programs have the potential to provide hands-on activities that bring relevance to classroom lessons, increase student engagement, and therefore keep more students in school longer. (April 2008)
How can we close the math achievement gap?
Jobs for the Future
This report looks at the real challenges behind the math achievement gap and what high achieving schools can teach us about how to close it. (April 2008)
Raising Graduation Rates in an Era of High Standards - Five Commitments for State Action
Achieve and Jobs for the Future
This paper, focusing on high school reform, calls upon state policymakers to commit to five key outcomes and suggests strategies and steps that they can take to focus their high school reform efforts on ensuring that these commitments are met. (March 2008)
Extended-Learning After-School Programs: A Very Positive Influence
Citizen Schools
The results of a seven-year study indicate that middle school students in Boston public schools enrolled in extended-learning after-school programs outperformed peers who were not involved with such programs. (January 2008)
The Nation's Report Card - Writing 2007
Institute of Education Success/National Center for Educational Statistics
What are our students doing when it comes to writing achievement? There may be some improvements! This Nation's Report Card (NAEP) study/analysis provides insight. (April 2008)
Making a Difference?: The Effects of Teach for America in High School
The Urban Institute and the National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER)
Programs like Teach For America can all make a positive difference for student achievement in high school, according to a trio of federally funded studies from CALDER. (April 2008)
Understanding High School Graduation Rates in Georgia
Alliance for Excellent Education
Graduation rates are a fundamental indicator of whether or not the nation's public school system is doing what it is intended to do. This study provides a close look at Georgia's graduation rate. (February 2008)
How Can Our High Schools Boost American Competitiveness?
The Georgia Governor's Office of Student Achievement - E-Bulletin
A good deal of recent study and commentary has been focused on the need to address American students' competitiveness in the world. Tough Choices or Tough Times, produced by the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce, and the new documentary Two Million Minutes are just two examples of such commentary. (February 2008)
The 4th Annual AP Report to the Nation
CollegeBoard
The findings include participation and performance data for each state within the context of its population and racial/ethnic demographics. It also announced that a greater percentage of the nation's students are taking and succeeding on AP Exams, which are predictors of success in college. (February 2008)
'First Things First' Reform Model Does Not Measure Up
What Works Clearing House (U.S. DOE)
Despite attracting high-powered backers such as Bill Gates, this much-touted school improvement program has yet to muster conclusive scientific evidence to show that it prevents students from dropping out. (February 2008)
© 2010 Georgia Partnership For Excellence In Education All Rights Reserved. Privacy policy. • Unsubscribe here.