A new report by LFA and Grunwald Associates, with support from AT&T, examines how parents perceive the value of mobile devices, how they see their children using mobiles, and what they think of the possibilities for mobile learning.
High School
Success Stories
Community Helps Struggling School Reopen to Success
Story posted July, 2008
Results:
• 10-15% average annual increase in standardized test scores for 4 years
• 100% of the school's first graduating students passed the math portion of the state Graduate Qualifying Exam and 90% passed the language arts portion (both district records)
It's hard to imagine that George Washington Community School was once struggling so badly that the school district had to close it. Today, the school is alive with activity and its students are thriving.
The transition did not happen overnight-and it would not have happened at all if it had not been for the powerful commitment and intensity of support from the community. The work to reopen the closed high school grew out of a grassroots desire by the community to provide an environment where young people, and their families, could succeed. Neighborhood residents envisioned a center of community collectively focused on improving graduation rates and preparing young people for post-secondary education. ...
Making College Accessible to All
Story posted July, 2008
Results:
• 77% pass rate on state end-of-course exams (compared to a state average of 60.8%)
• 83% pass rate on state end-of-course exams for African-American males (compared to a state average of 44%)
• 100% of students enrolled in college level courses in 2006-2007 passed those courses
The Cumberland County Schools serve 53,000 students. About 55 percent of students qualify for free or reduced- price meals based on federal poverty standards. More than 600 students drop out each year, one of the highest numbers in the state. Although the district has made great strides in educational innovations, the dropout rate is simply not acceptable to the teachers, administrators, parents, partners, and students in the community. ...
Working and Learning Together as a Team
Story posted July, 2008
Results:
• 90% of students passed the end-of-course test in Algebra II in 2007, up from 25% in 1998
• Narrowing the achievement gap - 84% of black and 85% of white students passed Algebra I in 2007
Granby High School is a large, urban, and diverse high school in Norfolk, Virginia, serving over 2,200 students, nearly half of whom are considered economically disadvantaged. Here students are enrolled in and passing high-level math classes including Calculus and Statistics. However, 10 years ago, few Granby students were taking advanced math courses, and of those who did, few passed. The school was described as "a high school in distress with low academic achievement and a high incidence of behavioral problems." Granby needed a change. School leaders recognized the need to push all of their students to reach higher levels in math, not only to be successful in postsecondary education, but to prepare for career opportunities as well. ...
Mapping Success with Technology
Story posted June, 2008
Results:
• Increased student test scores on California State STAR exam every year for the last 5 years
• Only technology class where majority of students are female and minority
• Work by students has been published in professional journals, presented at professional conferences, and honored with numerous national awards
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District wanted to put technology in the hands of students with a program that would deliver results and benefit the community. ...
Helping Students Demonstrate Their Math Knowledge
Story posted June, 2008
Results:
• 70% of students scored in the top levels of the MCAS in 2007, up from 35% in 2004
• 91% of 10th graders passed the math portion of the MCAS in 2007
• 83% graduation rate in 2007, with 89% graduation rate for both black and Hispanic students
Fenway High has a unique history. It was founded in 1983 as a program for students in at-risk situations who were failing in the more traditional high schools. Fenway became a pilot school in 1995 and is now open to all students, serving a diverse population that is 44% African-American, 36% Hispanic, and 15% Caucasian, with 46% receiving free or reduced lunch.
Fenway has an innovative approach to student learning, most notably in math, and has seen significant improvement in test scores over the past few years. Fenway's principal and math chair both agree that their continuous improvement in mathematics is supported by three key elements: ...
Bending Bureaucracy to Kids' Needs in Great Neck
Story posted June 10, 2008
Results:
• The district tailors educational programs to students' diverse needs and interests
• Every student at the district's "Village School" for non-traditional high school students passed every Regents Exam in every subject
Great Neck Public Schools Superintendent Ronald Friedman doesn't like to play favorites, but one student at the 2007 North High School graduation made him especially proud. "Billy" had nearly dropped out of school near the end of his junior year. He wasn't going to pass a required math course, and the school's staff sensed that when faced with the prospect of attending summer school or repeating the course, Billy would likely give up.
Instead of sticking to the standard protocol, teachers and administrators collaborated to find a solution that would work for Billy. They created a summer tutorial he could complete at home. One teacher volunteered to meet with him periodically and wrote a special exam, which Billy passed. His coursework back on track, he returned to school in the fall and graduated on time. ...
Ensuring All Students Reach their Highest Potential in Math
Story posted May 30, 2008
Story updated January, 2011
Results:
• In 2010, 10th graders scored above state averages on all sections of the HSPE test, and scored more than 20% higher than the state average in math
• 71% of 10th graders scored at or above proficient on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) math section in 2007, up from 49% in 2004
• 78% of students who took the AP Calculus exam passed in 2007, making them eligible for college credit
Only a decade ago, Interlake High School was the lowest-performing school in the Bellevue district. As Bellevue is an open enrollment district, Interlake parents and community members knew they needed an academically rigorous program to turn the school's performance around and draw students to the school. In 1997, Interlake implemented the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Degree program and in 2003 added the Advanced Placement program. ...
Helping Dropouts Return to School
Story posted May 28, 2008
Results:
• 94% of students improved their grades after coming to Classic City High School
• 97% of students improved their attendance
• 150 students have graduated, with one-third pursuing post-secondary educational options
Clarke County School District's community has approximately 1,500 students ages 16 to 22 who are not enrolled in school-a number equal to the enrollment of each of its traditional high schools. The majority of these students are black or Hispanic, and many live in poverty. Because a high school education is critical to finding economically viable employment and because Athens-Clarke County has persistent, intergenerational poverty, the district decided to offer a way for dropouts to earn their diplomas. ...
Story posted May 20, 2008
Results:
• 67% increase in calculus enrollment, with pre-calculus enrollment doubling
• Increased representation of minority and low SES students in high-level math and science courses
Using a $5,000 Student Achievement Grant from the NEA Foundation, Luajean Bryan, working with her Walker Valley High School (TN) colleagues Eric Swafford and Jenny Borden, created a cross curricular lesson titled "From the Earth to the Sky." They conceived the lesson as a means to increase student interest in math and science courses. They also believed that "From the Earth to the Sky" might appeal to minority students, low-income students, and students with diverse learning styles. ...
Awareness Initiative Boosts College Attendance
Story posted May 12, 2008
Results:
• 23.58% of students now attend college (many first-generation), a significant increase
• $75,000 in college scholarships awarded to former program participants in the 2006-2007 school year
A college awareness, education and support program for sophomores, juniors and seniors at Coachella Valley High School in Thermal, Calif., is helping to increase the percentage of graduates going to college.
The program, called Catch the Dream, was created six years ago and is becoming more effective each year. The initiative's goal is to help students find the college that is right for them and then to do everything necessary to get them there. ...
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A VISION FOR GREAT SCHOOLS
On this website, educators, parents and policymakers from coast to coast are sharing what's already working in public schools--and sparking a national conversation about how to make it work for children in every school. Join the conversation!
