Tomorrow's High School

<p><strong>How do some high schools produce graduates that consistently achieve at high levels? Would you believe there's a set of proven strategies that could help you deliver similar impressive results and better prepare students for the world after high school?</strong><p>High schools in the United States face a startling reality: many graduates are unprepared for success in postsecondary studies or for high-demand well-paying jobs in a rapidly changing economy. Although this situation is alarming the high schools that have embraced new ways of learning show us what is possible.<p>Drawing from his experience with the High Schools That Work initiative Gene Bottoms offers educators a path forward by urging them to pursue bold goals and outlining bold actions for achieving those goals. His vision is clear: replace the traditional model of secondary education with one that engages students in a rigorous curriculum that combines a solid academic core with intellectually demanding career pathway courses.<p>The notion that nearly all students can achieve at high levels is borne out by numerous examples of high schools--including those with traditionally underperforming student populations--that have used key strategies to help all students realize their potential.<p>Bottoms explains the root causes of the current shortcomings in high school education and then specifies critical components of successful transformation: <p>* Shared leadership;<br>* Powerful assignments--especially in math literacy and career/technical education--planned and executed by academic and career pathway teachers working together;<br>* Strengthened connections between middle school and high school;<br>* A redesigned senior year; and<br>* Comprehensive counseling and advisory programs.<p>Provocative and persuasive in its sense of urgency Tomorrow's High School offers proven and practical solutions to finally make high schools a rich and rewarding experience for all students whatever their future college and career goals may be.<p><em>This book is a copublication of ASCD and SREB. It includes access to nine downloadable appendixes.</em></p>