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Linking Research and Resources for Better High Schools

The National High School Center, based at the American Institutes for Research, provides the latest research,
user-friendly tools and products, and high-quality technical assistance on high school improvement issues.

Spotlight Race To The Top Round Two Finalists Selected Education Secretary Arne Duncan named 19 finalists to compete in the interview portion of the Race to the Top Round Two competition. Each state will assemble a group of five people to come to Washington, DC in August to interview and discuss their final plans for a portion of the $3.4 billion in federal funds still left to be distributed. The finalists are Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. (July 2010) Diplomas Count 2010: Graduation by the Numbers – Putting Data to Work for Student Success A new national report from Education Week and the Editorial Projects in Education (EPE) Research Center finds that the nation’s graduation rate has dropped for the second consecutive year, following a decade of mostly solid improvements. Diplomas Count 2010 investigates how data and analysis are being used to boost graduation rates and improve student learning across the country. The report also tracks graduation policies for all 50 states and the District of Columbia and presents an updated analysis of graduation patterns for the nation, states, and the country’s 50 largest school systems. (June 2010) National Governors Association and State Education Chiefs Launch Common State Academic Standards The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) have released the Common Core State Standards. Many stakeholders, including content experts, states, teachers, school administrators and parents collaborated to create the English-language arts and mathematics standards for grades K-12 whose goals for learning include the preparation of U.S. students for success in college and work. The release of the standards on June 2, 2010, concludes the development of the Common Core State Standards and begins the adoption and implementation process by the states. (June 2010) The Condition of Education 2010 This Congressionally mandated report to the nation on education in America covers all aspects of education, with 49 indicators that include findings on enrollment trends, demographics, and outcomes. The report projects that public school enrollment will rise from 49 million in 2008 to 52 million by 2019, with the largest increase expected in the South. Over the past decade, more students attended both charter schools and high-poverty schools. This year’s report features a special section that looks closer at these high-poverty schools in America, examining the types and locations of schools, the characteristics of the students and their teachers and principals; and student achievement. (May 2010) Additional news spotlights.

Featured Resources High School Matters: The National High School Center Info Blog High School Matters, the National High School Center's Info Blog, is a new resource that provides an objective perspective on the latest research, topical issues, and events that affect high school improvement and other related national, state and local K-12 initiatives. Authored by staff and external experts from the National High School Center and updated several times per week, High School Matters offers insight into specific evidence-based information and resources for readers interested in staying abreast of emerging and recent high school improvement activities, as well as snapshots of promising and effective practices. High School Improvement Topics View resources on pressing high school issues including: Dropout prevention Transitions into high school Early Warning Systems Transitions out of high school High school literacy Access our complete listing of Topics for High School Improvement Interactive Map: Navigating the National High School Improvement Landscape This map offers state profiles featuring national high school improvement initiatives at work in each state. Each state profile also compares high school graduation requirements with what is required of students entering state university systems. .

The National High School Center is based at the American Institutes for Research and funded through a grant by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education.

The contents of this Web site were developed under a grant (Grant #S283B050028, CFDA Subprogram 84.283) from the Department of Education. Information presented in this site does not necessarily represent the policies of the Department of Education, and does not imply endorsement by the Federal Government.