# Presentation: 406396

## Archived InformationCalifornia’s High Performing High Schools Initiative

- Improving High Schools from the Inside Out

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“We can no longer limit the adult opportunities of our students because of our failure to provide them both challenges and support in high school . . . It’s time to change our schools from the inside out.” State Superintendent of Public Instruction – Jack O’Connell

- “We can no longer limit the adult opportunities of our students because of our failure to provide them both challenges and support in high school . . . It’s time to change our schools from the inside out.” State Superintendent of Public Instruction – Jack O’Connell

## High School Information

- Fewer than 10 % of our high schools have reached their academic targets.
- If the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) had applied to the Class of 2004, as many as 20% of our students would not have graduated on time.
- Only 63% of high school graduates enter a postsecondary education program.

## High Schools – 5 goals

- Raising expectations for all students
- Nurturing the development of World Class teachers and site administrators
- Developing World Class materials
- Smoothing the transitions
- Enfranchising all stakeholders

## Raising Expectations for All Students

- Ensure all public high school students have access to a core curriculum that meets UC and CSU admission requirements
- Increase enrollment in AP courses
- Provide academic interventions and tutoring so that struggling students can successfully prepare for their future

## Develop World Class Teachers and Site Administrators

- Pre-Service
- Recruitment
- Support for new teachers
- Continued education for experienced teachers

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Guide high schools to select standards aligned instructional materials by establishing a state review for alignment with standards

- Guide high schools to select standards aligned instructional materials by establishing a state review for alignment with standards

- Develop World Class Instructional Materials

## Support Successful Transitions from Middle School to High School and from High School to Postsecondary Education

- Based on multiple measures of student assessment, identify students needing academic interventions and students who need accelerated high school curriculum
- Provide smaller learning communities to meet the specialized needs of students

## Nurture and Develop a Community of Support to Foster High Student Achievement

- Enlist community support to implement innovative programs and approaches to learning
- Acknowledge and publicize academic achievement and student success

## Focus Groups

- Focus groups of education and business leaders were convened for feedback
- Legislation was proposed and provided a platform for future work

## The High School Summit

- October 25 and 26, 2004Sacramento, CaliforniaThe Summit provided an opportunity to meet and discuss:
- The Superintendent’s High School Initiative
- The most recent research
- Promising Practices
- All districts, colleges, universities, & businesses were invited

## Building on the Summit’s Success Next Steps

- Keeping participants engaged
- Electronic communication
- Regional follow-ups
- Superintendent’s work group
- New Legislation