Closing the Achievement Gap: A 'High Schools That Work' Design for Challenged Schools.

This document describes the High Schools That Work (HSTW) program. HSTW, created by the Southern Regional Education Board, presents a school-reform design that encompasses goals, key practices, and key conditions for setting higher standards and accelerating learning. The HSTW model integrates college-preparatory studies with quality career/technical studies to help high school students prepare for college or the workplace. The HSTW services are tailored to each school's unique needs and are offered on a contractual basis. This document contains a framework designed by HSTW for challenged schools with high percentages of students performing below acceptable standards. The framework contains the following points: key practices for improving student achievement; a recommended curriculum; key conditions for accelerating student achievement; and guidelines for helping students to progress from middle grades to high school, to benefit from a meaningful senior year in high school, and to move from grade 12 to college or the workplace. The remainder of the document contains information on the HSTW program and the responsibilities of schools engaged in the program. (WFA)