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Louisiana's High Schools: Being Redesigned with the Future in Mind. High School Redesign Commission Report. Summer 2006

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Louisiana's High Schools: Being Redesigned with the Future in Mind. High School Redesign Commission Report. Summer 2006
Language: English
Authors: Louisiana State Dept. of Education, Baton Rouge.
Source: Louisiana Department of Education. 2006.
Availability: Louisiana Department of Education. P.O. Box 94064, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9064. Tel: 877-453-2721; Web site: http://www.louisianaschools.net/lde/index
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 44
Publication Date: 2006
Intended Audience: Practitioners; Policymakers
Document Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools
Descriptors: Student Needs, High Schools, Time Blocks, Scheduling, Education Work Relationship, Human Capital, Educational Change, Educational Development, Expectation, Resource Allocation, Change Strategies, Teacher Student Relationship, Skill Development, Learning Strategies, School Community Relationship, Educational Policy
Geographic Terms: Louisiana
Abstract: This report describes the importance of redesigned high schools to engage full high school communities in the deliberate rethinking of virtually everything, ranging from how time is used, to how adults are deployed, even to the "places"where learning occurs. Essentially, redesigned high schools: (1) have high expectations for all students and are clear about what that means; (2) work hard to build close and deep relationships within the school, connecting adults and students, students with students, and adults with adult; (3) leave almost nothing about teaching and learning to chance; (4) deploy time and other resources equitably and in accordance with student needs rather than only adult preferences; (5) work hard to build the skills and habits that will lead to satisfying lives, constantly challenging both students and adults to work harder and get better, no matter how low- or high-performing they are at the start, providing generous assistance as they struggle to improve; and (6) build bridges between in-school learning and the resources, opportunities and expertise available outside the school walls to assure that students are prepared not only academically, but with a rich set of experiences to enable them to see the relationship between school learning and future opportunities. Some Louisiana high schools are already well along this path, but there are many things that the state can do to support and accelerate the transition from old to new. This report represents a call to action for educators, citizens and policymakers in redesigning Louisiana's high schools. It addresses the inherent problems and impediments to better school outcomes, and makes initial recommendations for improving Louisiana's high schools and strengthening the diploma so that students who follow all the rules won't continue to fall through the cracks between the requirements for graduating from high school and the demands of college and work.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2007
Accession Number: ED495407
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This report describes the importance of redesigned high schools to engage full high school communities in the deliberate rethinking of virtually everything, ranging from how time is used, to how adults are deployed, even to the "places"where learning occurs. Essentially, redesigned high schools: (1) have high expectations for all students and are clear about what that means; (2) work hard to build close and deep relationships within the school, connecting adults and students, students with students, and adults with adult; (3) leave almost nothing about teaching and learning to chance; (4) deploy time and other resources equitably and in accordance with student needs rather than only adult preferences; (5) work hard to build the skills and habits that will lead to satisfying lives, constantly challenging both students and adults to work harder and get better, no matter how low- or high-performing they are at the start, providing generous assistance as they struggle to improve; and (6) build bridges between in-school learning and the resources, opportunities and expertise available outside the school walls to assure that students are prepared not only academically, but with a rich set of experiences to enable them to see the relationship between school learning and future opportunities. Some Louisiana high schools are already well along this path, but there are many things that the state can do to support and accelerate the transition from old to new. This report represents a call to action for educators, citizens and policymakers in redesigning Louisiana's high schools. It addresses the inherent problems and impediments to better school outcomes, and makes initial recommendations for improving Louisiana's high schools and strengthening the diploma so that students who follow all the rules won't continue to fall through the cracks between the requirements for graduating from high school and the demands of college and work.