The foundation uses national and local firms to conduct a thorough evaluation including various measures of student achievement, perception surveys, self- reporting, and direct observation. Looking Forward America's high schools have gone neglected for far too long. There is no panacea for improving them, but there is a conclusive body of research that provides good direction. We are losing too many students, students who start high school as freshmen and drop-out, or skate by gaining few skills and little knowledge. Creating smaller, more personalized learning environments where every student is held to high expectations works.
Students stay in school, are more motivated and achieve at higher levels.
Changing an American tradition is not easy. Private dollars are not the solution but can help both to leverage public investments and to be an impetus for change. 3 Findings from the following recent studies are referenced. ERIC Digest, Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools. Because the literature on school size indicates that small high schools are more effective for minority and poor students, the similarity in cost for small and large high schools suggests that policymakers might do well to support the creation of more small high schools.