New concept for high school, built on trust, pays off

Young people are graduating from high schools and not ready for college level work. Liz Willen describes different initiatives around the United States that have provided solutions for improving secondary education. She addresses the importance of STEM, role models for students, and project-based learning.

In 2011, a professor at the University of Colorado implemented Pathways2Teaching in several local high schools. Through this "grown your own" program, juniors and seniors study teaching and education through a race and equity lens. The program has motivated students to stay in school and attracted more students of color to the profession. Now, Duluth's public schools are working to implement a similar curriculum in the hopes of developing a long-term pipeline for local teachers of color.

Deer Isle, Maine, struggled to keep students in school; many students felt that a diploma was unnecessary, since they could drop out and join the lobster fishing industry. But the local high school found a creative solution to keep students engaged and ensure more opportunities in what can be a volatile industry. They redesigned courses to suit the interests of students, moving to project-based learning that explores traditional academic topics through fishing and marine themes, such as studying geometry through boat building. The approach has helped increase graduation rates by more than 30 percent.

The Home for the Needy Foundation’s camp offers accommodations and support for people who are displaced in Nigeria due to terrorism. Along with housing, clothes, food, healthcare, and general support, those staying at the camp receive help and encouragement to continue their education, apply for college, or learn a trade.

Children Rising is providing high-dosage reading and math tutoring to elementary students at schools in Oakland, California, to make up for lost learning during the pandemic. This type of tutoring includes one-on-one instruction multiple times a week during the school day.

Books for Keeps works to increase the literacy rate of students by providing them with books to read during the summer when they aren’t at school. Since 2009, Books for Keeps has given away almost 800,000 books. A study by the nonprofit found that students gained almost 17% of a grade level more over the summer than students who didn't participate in Books for Keeps.

A peer tutoring program at a New Jersey high school has helped students improve academic success while feeling connected and supported by their peers. The program started by providing time during study hall periods for small groups of peers to meet. Then, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the program went virtual with pairs of students meeting twice a week in zoom breakout rooms. About 54% of students who were tutored passed a class they had previously failed. The program also fosters social connections and a supportive school culture.

The Austin Independent School District is expanding its therapist intervention program at a variety of its schools in order to help improve student well-being. Over 40 student mental health clinics, which are open year-round, are now present in elementary, middle, and high schools and also offer its services to parents, and through their presence have helped increase attendance, as well as helping students cope with stress and anxiety.

Boulder Valley schools are working with Latino parents to create networks of community support, feedback, and insight about the success of Latino children in the district. Parents are working with the school district to make sure stereotypes and racial bias aren't limiting their children from receiving food services and quality education that fit their needs.

In a Buffalo school district where many students from low-income families struggled with trauma, attendance, and the effects of poverty, a nonprofit initiative called Say Yes to Education is implementing drastic change. The program increases graduation rates for minority students, grants scholarships and admissions guidance to colleges, provides medical and mental health care to under-served students, brings in mentors and after-school programs, and even assists students parents with job-readiness workshops and housing assistance.