Hope for low-performing high schools.

A new report from MDRC, a nonprofit social policy research group, acknowledges that reforms for low-performing high schools only really gel with district support.

"There's frequently turnover at the top, new administrators having their own ideas of what to do and not giving promising initiatives enough time to work," says report author Janet Quint, an MDRC senior associate. "These changes are more likely both to be implemented and to stick when there is a strong district commitment that's sustained

over time."

Meeting Five Critical Challenges of High School Reform: Lessons from Research on Three Reform Models analyzes three programs used in more than 2,500 high schools nationwide.

Researchers tracked Career Academies; First Things First; and Talent Development, breaking down the effectiveness of the initiatives into five areas that challenge high schools.

The key finding: structural changes and instructional improvement must be present for schools to improve. Some districts have so much ground to cover they require start-to-finish models. Others seek just a few solutions. This report can help both. Other observations:

* Small learning communities and faculty advisory systems can increase students' feelings of connectedness to their teachers;

* Particularly when used together, extended class periods, special catch-up courses, high-quality curricula, training on these curricula, and efforts to create professional learning communities can improve student achievement;

* School-employer partnerships involving career awareness activities and work internships can help students attain higher earnings after high school;

* Students who enter ninth grade facing substantial deficits can make progress if initiatives single them out for special support, whether through caring teachers or courses designed to help students acquire content knowledge and skills they missed.

www.mdrc.org 

--Caryn Fleigler

Three Models for Reform

1. Career Academies

* "School within a school" structure

* Integrated academic/occupational curriculum

* Employer partnerships

2. First Things First

* Four-year, theme-based small learning communities

* Family Advocate System (faculty advisory program)

* Instructional improvement efforts

3. Talent Development

* Ninth Grade Success Academy

* Career Academies for grades 10-12

* Extended block schedule

* Catch-up courses for ninth graders

Source: MDRC

Teachers Spend Money, Have High Hopes

The top five trends in teaching and the characteristics of a 21st century schoolteacher include a willingness to spend their own money and shape future leaders, according to the National Education Association.

On average teachers:

1. Spend about 50 hours/week on teaching duties, including grading papers and bus duty;

2. Teach about 21 elementary pupils and 28 pupils in secondary school:

3. Spend about $443 per year of their own money for student needs;

4. Make an average starting salary of $31,704 per year, not including supplemental pay for extra duties;

5. Enter teaching to help shape the next generation and about 74 percent want to work with young people.