Two schools used integration reform primarily to improve motivation of both academic and vocational students. Integration flourishes in a permissive regulatory environment. Integration efforts proceed better when state and local regulations support or at least do not impede local reforms. Common barriers include seat-time regulations, graduation requirements, nonacceptance of applied courses, college admission requirements, union seniority rules, certification processes, and teacher evaluation rules. Strict allocation of resources by a central office can also inhibit integration if it reduces a school's ability to channel funds toward teacher professional development.
Integration can take years to implement.
Such a long-term endeavor needs committed leadership, relatively stable staffing, and stable and generous funding to induce change and build new capacities. Most important are full support for continuing staff development and collaboration. Integration complements other current systemic reforms. All in all, integration reform appears to promote a healthy rethinking of education conventions. Given sufficient support to succeed, the integration reform movement has the potential to create a much more flexible, equitable, and effective American high school.