Multiple Pathways to Graduation

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Multiple Pathways to Graduation
Presentation for Council of Chief State School
Officers Adria Steinberg/Lili AllenJune 8-9,
2006
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I didnt drop out, I just stopped going

• 30 of high school students not on track to
  on-time graduation
• Concentration in urban low-income/ minority
  communities, and rural predominantly white
  communities

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Most Dropouts are Persistent in Their Drive to
Get an Education
Source National Education Longitudinal
Study/Jobs for the Future
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But Persistence is Not Rewarded only 10 get a
postsecondary credential
Source National Education Longitudinal
Study/Jobs for the Future
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Current Opportunity

• Governors committed to cohort grad rate
• Growing attention to high school reform
• Economy driving demand for higher level of
  education for all
• Progress on aligning standards with
  post-secondary education and training
• Growing understanding of need for
  supports/options for struggling students

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Principles of a Multiple Pathways Approach

• Choice for students among different structures
  and cultures of schooling
• All pathways lead to high school graduation and
  postsecondary credentials
• Some options incorporate additional supports and
  opportunities
• Data on students informs design of schools

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Examples of Emerging Multiple Pathway Systems

• New York City, New York
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Portland, Oregon

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Portland, Oregon

• High school reform effort
• Existing options supported by state policy
• Recognition of need to pull together into one
  system -- funding, accountability
• Next stage is to be more strategic about designs
  connected to data

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Implications for State Policy

• Data and accountability
• High quality learning environments
• Visible commitment with adequate resources

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Data Accountability

• States can encourage districts to use early
  indicators and devise strategies to target
  students not on track to graduation
• Growth models are critical for identifying places
  that are having success with underprepared
  students

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Learning Environments

• New school development
• Arizona, Minnesota, Michigan strong charter laws
• N. Carolinas Innovative Education Initiatives
  Act
• Creating options through expansion of
  high-quality alternatives
• MN, Oregon, WI
• Developing teachers and leaders for reinvented
  high schools

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Adequate Resources

• Leveraging multiple funding streams to provide
  supports
• Innovative partnerships across systems