SCALING UP:SCALING UP:Reform Lessons for Urban Reform Lessons for Urban

Comprehensive High Comprehensive High SchoolsSchools

Celine Coggins, Ph.D.

THE CHALLENGE:THE CHALLENGE:

Taking the successes of higher performing high

schools to scale

Why Attention to Scale Why Attention to Scale MattersMatters

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Why Attention to Scale Why Attention to Scale MattersMatters

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REPORT STRUCTUREREPORT STRUCTURE

INTERRELATED REFORMS• Setting and meeting high expectations for all

students• Personalizing the learning environment• Building teacher capacity

RESEARCH ON EACH• Case study of an urban high school• Lessons that matter for comprehensive urban high

schools• Action agenda for schools, district and states

PERSONALIZATIONPERSONALIZATIONGoal: Improve student engagement and motivation

through the adoption of personalized learning strategies and structures

TEACHER CAPACITYTEACHER CAPACITYGoal: Establish a school-wide focus that

emphasizes teacher learning and data-driven decision-making

HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ALLHIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ALLGoal: Ensure all students develop the skills they

need to succeed in college and work

PERSONALIZATIONPERSONALIZATION

• Personalized schools set the conditions for improved achievement

• One size does not fit all

• Curriculum and PD must be a part of personalization

• Personalization must fit with standards

• Personalization strategies must ensure equity

TEACHER CAPACITYTEACHER CAPACITY• Greatest determinant of student achievement

• Teacher knowledge of academic content is paramount

• PD must be ongoing and meet specific school goals

• Teachers need to be able to use data in making decisions

• Effective collaborative teaching cultures take time

• Outsider experts AND teachers should be involved in PD delivery

HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ALLHIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL

• Most high schools “in need of improvement” are urban, comprehensive

• Teachers may not respond to accountability as intended

• Focus on instruction can unify a large faculty

• Intensive intervention may be necessary—unclear which strategies work best

• External partners valuable— but qualified partners may be hard to find

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS…CONCLUDING THOUGHTS…

• Leadership is a common denominator in successful reform efforts

• Renew policy focus on large urban high schools

• Build on current investments (Gates, Carnegie, NGA)

• Coordinate goals and agenda across levels of the system