Return-Path: <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id i4UF88905531; Sun, 30 May 2004 11:08:08 -0400 (EDT) Date: Sun, 30 May 2004 11:08:08 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <27.596956c5.2deb5224@aol.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: MWPotts2001@aol.com To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-4EFF:2763] EFF for American High Schools? X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: 9.0 for Windows sub 5026 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Status: O Content-Length: 2494 Lines: 42 EFF Colleagues, As you read the summary below, look closely at # 7 in the list of seven essential ideas for rethinking US high schools and think about what it could mean if EFF Standards became a part of this reform initiative. How can we get the word out to the 40-plus organizations who are involved in this movement? All the Best, Meta Potts, Moderator 4-EFF List Glen Allen, VA REPORT POINTS OUT LACK OF CLARITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL REFORMS "Crisis or Possibility? Conversations About the American High School," summarizes the discussions from seven national conferences on high schools and high-school-age youths held between September and December of last year, reports Lynn Olsen. The meetings were sponsored by such groups as the National Governors Association, the Council of Chief State School Officers, Jobs for the Future, and the federal office of vocational and adult education. The Washington-based National High School Alliance, a partnership of 40-plus organizations established in 2002 to promote equity, excellence, and the development of high-school-age youths, sponsored one of the meetings and produced the report. According to the report, seven essential ideas for rethinking US high schools emerged from the meetings: (1) Connecting K-12 and postsecondary education, so that students are better prepared for the world of work and higher education; (2) Making college preparation the "default" curriculum for all high school students, in part because nearly three-quarters of high school graduates already enroll in postsecondary education within two years of graduation; (3) Improving teacher preparation and professional development, so that high school teachers have both the content knowledge and pedagogical strategies to work in redesigned schools; (4) Ensuring that all students can read at or above grade level, including English-language learners; (5) Addressing the high dropout rate, particularly in urban areas, where only about half of students may earn diplomas; (6) Fostering smaller, more personalized learning environments; and, (7) Revisiting state academic-content standards so that they are more flexible and parsimonious and give students a variety of options for meeting them. Despite broad support for those common themes, the report notes, "little guidance has emerged on how to bring about desired changes. Practical ways for attaining the described visions were in short supply." http://www.edweek.org/ew/newstory.cfm?slug=37High School.h23
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Dec 23 2004 - 09:45:25 EST