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We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

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Blogs on High (9-12)

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Arne Duncan @ YES Prep's Senior Signing in Houston (Photos)

EdutopiaApril 30, 2010

Tags Dropout Prevention, High (9-12), Texas

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined the faculty and students of YES Prep North Central in Houston, TX to celebrate the Senior Signing ceremony of 43 graduates on April 30th, 2010.

College Dreams: For These Houston Students, Their Big Day Has Finally Arrived

EdutopiaApril 29, 2010

Tags Dropout Prevention, Technology Integration, High (9-12), Texas

When we visited YES Prep North Central in Houston last spring, students in the junior class were already talking about their Senior Signing Day. On that day, amidst much fanfare, they would become the first in their families to enroll in college.

Guest Blog: Project Prom Dress

Betty RayApril 26, 2010

Tags Technology Integration, High (9-12)

Editor's Note: Our guest blogger today is Eric Sheninger, principal at New Milford High School in New Milford New Jersey. His school produced an innovative and green (and *fun*!) alternative to the spending frenzy of prom season.

How Charter Schools Handle Hiring Teachers

Bob LenzApril 25, 2010

Tags New Teachers, Teacher Development, High (9-12), California

Finding high quality, mission- and vision-aligned teachers is critical for any school or school system. Since Envision Schools have redesigned the high school experience for students and teachers, the process of finding the right match is even more important and complex.

Perfecting with Practice: Project-Based Teaching

Suzie BossApril 22, 2010

Tags Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, High (9-12)

In project learning (PL), plans that look spectacular on paper can go awry when students enter the picture. During the implementation phase, students may decide to head in directions their teacher never anticipated.

Educational Mandates Alone Don't Improve Student Achievement

Claus von ZastrowApril 5, 2010

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Curriculum, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, High (9-12), Illinois

Editor's note: Anne O'Brien is our guest blogger today. She is a project director at the Learning First Alliance, a Teach for America alumna, and a former public school teacher in the greater New Orleans area.

Let's say a district mandates that all students take a college-preparatory curriculum in hopes of improving academic achievement and increasing college going and retention rates. The result? Not great. Why not?

Jaime Escalante, More Inspiring than Ever

Kathy BaronMarch 31, 2010

Tags Achievement Gap, Dropout Prevention, High (9-12), Math

When you think about Jaime Escalante, think about this: Passing Advanced Placement exams is an uphill battle for most students, but for African American and Latino high school kids it can feel like pushing a big rock up that hill. Even though more students are taking the exams, the pass rate is declining. Just 16.7 % of African American students and 41.3 % of Hispanic students scored well enough to earn college credit on the two AP calculus tests given last year. Versus more than 69% for white students.

Steering Student Dropouts Back to School

Claus von ZastrowMarch 12, 2010

Tags Dropout Prevention, Teacher Development, High (9-12), Texas

As a nation, we're very keen to stem the tide of dropouts from our schools, but we seem oddly cold to the fates of those who have already dropped out.

Engaging Students with Hands-on Work Experiences

Bob LenzMarch 10, 2010

Tags Business Partnerships, Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, High (9-12)

It's a very exciting time for the eleventh and twelfth graders at Envision Schools. During the spring semester, students participate in the Workplace Learning Experience (WLE) for 12 weeks.

In Our Classrooms: Supporting Children of Military Families

Suzie BossFebruary 15, 2010

Tags Teacher Development, High (9-12), California

Many of the estimated 30,000 American teens who have a parent serving in Iraq or Afghanistan are facing their own quiet battles at home and at school.