Career/Technology Centers That Work: An Enhanced 'High Schools That Work' Design for Technology Centers

"High Schools That Work" is an effort-based school improvement initiative founded on the conviction that most students can master rigorous career/technical and academic studies if school leaders and teachers create an environment that motivates students to make the effort to succeed. HSTW is the nation's first large-scale effort to engage state, district, school and technology center leaders in partnerships with teachers, students, parents and the community to raise student achievement in improved readiness for college and careers. It is based on the simple belief that most students become "smarter" through effort and hard work. This publication describes the Technology Centers That Work enhanced design for school improvement and student achievement, including the High Schools That Work (HSTW) framework of Goals and Key Practices, recommended core curriculum and key conditions. It outlines what participating technology centers agree to do to set up a literacy program, measure and report progress, and it discusses how to collaborate with HSTW to become a successful site for getting students ready for work and further education beyond the technology center. (Contains 5 footnotes.)