High Schools That Work (HSTW)

High Schools That Work (HSTW) is a restructuring effort to raise student achievement. It is an approved program by the Comprehensive School Reform Act of 1997 and in 1999 was selected as the nation's only initiative to reform high schools that shows strong evidence of raising student performance.

GUILFORD COUNTY SITES

School Became a Site in:

Eastern High School 1995
Andrews High School 1997
High Point Central High School 1997
Dudley High School 1997
Northeast High School 1997
Southeast High School 1997
Southern High School 1997
Southwest High School 1997
Weaver Education Center 1997
Western High School 1997
Grimsley High School 1999
Northwest High School 2000
Ragsdale High School 2000

In 2000, North Carolina had approximately 75 HSTW sites out of 350 public high schools in the state. Of those 75 sites in North Carolina, 13 are in Guilford County. The national High Schools That Work initiative has over 1,000 sites in 23 states.

Ten Key Practices of HSTW

High Schools That Work is based on these ten Key Practices for accelerating student achievement:

• High Expectations
• Workforce Development/Technical/Vocational Studies
• Academic Studies
• Challenging Program of Study
• Work-based Learning
• Teachers Working Together
• Students Actively Engaged
• Guidance
• Extra Help
• Keeping Score
• HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WORK Recommended Curriculum

High Schools That Work emphasizes having students complete a challenging program of study integrating both demanding academics and rigorous workforce development studies. Their recommendations for curriculum meet both requirements for College Prep and College Tech Prep in Guilford County Schools.

• 4 credits in English at the CP* level
• 3 credits in math through the Algebra II and trigonometry level
• 3 credits in science including 2 in CP* Biology, Chemistry,Physics/AppliedPhysics
• 3 Social Studies credits at CP* level
• 4 credits in an academic or technical path
• 2 credits in related academic/technical fields

*College Prep

Measuring Progress

The HSTW/High Schools That Work National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is administered to all seniors who are workforce development concentrators or who have taken four (4) workforce development/technical credits with one being an advanced or second level course. The HSTW assessment consists of items from the Educational Testing Services (ETS) NAEP assessment and measures student achievement in reading, math, and science. The assessment also includes a student survey of academic experiences and a transcript study of the English, math, and science courses that students completed in grades nine though twelve. The HSTW assessment is used to evaluate the use of a set of key practices to improve academic and technical performance, and to identify students who qualify for the prestigious HSTW Award of Educational Achievement. Results are used in developing school improvement efforts and in revising instruction, curricula, extra-help systems, etc.

Students Qualifying for HSTW Assessment

This represents an increase of 59% since Guilford County Schools began the HSTW initiative and emphasizing a more rigorous academic and technical course of study for all students.

In 1999, of those testes, 42% received the Award of Education Achievement. In 2000, that number increased to 46%.

For information about a particular school's test results or HSTW initiatives, contact the principal.

The High Schools That Work initiative was established in 1987 by the Southern Regional Education Board to increase student achievement and better prepare high school graduates for post-secondary training and education. All students need both the academic and technical skills. For additional information, check the Southern Regional Education Board website.

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