The grant is part of the U.S. Education Department's new Smaller Learning Communities program. It's these personal connections that can be so important to success in school. We know that students thrive in smaller school settings. Riley cites research that shows students have better attendance, are less likely to drop out, exhibit fewer discipline problems, and perform better in smaller high schools.
Career academies offer students academic programs organized around a broad career theme.
Mentoring and other teacher-advisory systems call for teachers, counselors, and other school staff to help students on an individual basis. Staff members introduce students to career possibilities, develop personal learning plans for students, and help them choose classes and plan for college. Their administrators report directly to the school district and not to a school's main principal. Each program has its own staff, students, and budget. Career clusters help students map out a curriculum that would provide the academic and technical education necessary for their chosen field.