Diploma Matters: A Field Guide For College And Career Readiness

High school should be a gateway to a better life, not a gatekeeper. Too many students wind up with too few choices, locked in by what was decided for them by a broken system. We’ve been handing over a diploma that holds an empty promise. In this practical field book, readers will find a “toolkit” developed by The Education Trust. The tools in the kit help school leaders and teachers examine the current high school experience, and then develop a detailed action plan to transform curriculum so that their students are ready for college and work.

Linda Murray is the Superintendent-in-Residence for The Education Trust?West (ETW) and is responsible for leading the practice work of the organization in California. Prior to joining ETW, Dr. Murray served as Superintendent of Schools for the San Jose Unified School District for eleven years.

The Education Trust?West is a statewide education advocacy organization in California that works to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement for students of color and students in poverty. The organization works for the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, pre-k through college. ETW exposes opportunity and achievement gaps that separate students of color and low-income students from other youth, and identifies and advocates for the strategies that will forever close those gaps. http://www.edtrust.org/west

Foreword.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

The Author.

Introduction.

San Jose Unified—A Success Story.

What Did We Do?

Chapter One: Dispelling the Myths.

Myth 1: A College-Prep Curriculum Hurts Kids Who Aren't Going to College.

Myth 2: The Curriculum Will Be Watered Down.

Myth 3: Grades Will Plummet.

Myth 4: Students Will Disengage and Drop Out.

Myth 5: Disadvantaged Students Will Suffer the Most.

Myth 6: High School Is the Wrong Place to Make Changes.

Myth to Reality: Higher Standards Help Everyone.

Quick Facts.

Reader Reflection.

Chapter: Two: Expectations Matter.

Setting the Foundation for Reform.

Finding Common Ground.

A Defining Moment: The Students Speak.

How Good Is Good Enough?

Getting the Teachers’ Union on Board.

Setting Our Stake in the Sand.

Reader Reflection.

Chapter Three: The Journey Through High School.

How Do You Turn Ideas into Action?

The War Room.

Analysis of Student Transcripts.

The Master Schedule.

Just-in-Time Interventions.

Getting Serious About Summer School.

Summer Bridge.

Creating Opportunities for Acceleration.

Students with Special Needs and English Language Learners.

Reaching the Outliers: Safety Nets and Supports.

Bricks, Mortar, and Science Labs.

Reader Reflection.

Chapter Four: Teachers: A Force to Reckon With.

Finding the Teachers We Needed.

Teaching the Teachers: Professional Development That Works.

Accountability with Collaboration.

Results First.

Reader Reflection.

Chapter Five: The Educational Opportunity Audit.

How Long Will It Take?

Start by Defining Your Requirements.

Gathering Your Team.

Gathering Your Materials.

Collecting Achievement Test Data.

Transcript Study.

Master Schedule Analysis.

Focus Groups.

Community Conversation.

Surveying Department Heads.

Educational Opportunity Audit Findings.

Reader Reflection.

Chapter Six: The Blueprint.

Here's Where the Real Change Begins.

Setting up Committees to Get the Work Done.

Work to Be Done by District Departments.

Developing Action Plans.

Reader Reflection.

Chapter Seven: A Look at “District X”.

This Is What It Looks Like.

District X: Transcript Study.

District X: Master Schedule.

District X: Focus Groups and Community Conversation.

Recommendations Based on All Findings.

Reader Reflection.

Chapter Eight: College and Career Readiness in Our Nation's Schools.

How Is College and Career Readiness Playing Out in Other Districts?

Yes, You Can.

Reader Reflection.

Chapter Nine: The Journey Continues.

Now What?

Creating a College-Going Culture.

A Data-Driven District.

Where the Work Is Heading.

The Good News: Universal Access.

“D” Grades Remain the Greatest Barrier to College Eligibility.

The Path Is Clear.

Reader Reflection.

Appendixes.

Appendix 1: Focus Group Protocols.

Protocol for Student Focus Group Work.

Protocol for Teacher Focus Group Work.

Protocol for Counselor Focus Group Work.

Protocol for Parent and Community Focus Group Work.

Appendix 2: Community Conversation Protocol.

Plenary Session.

Break-out Sessions.

Closing Plenary.

Appendix 3: Survey Protocols.

Budget Survey.

Curriculum and Instruction Survey.

Human Resource Survey.

Facilities Survey.

Professional Development.

Safety Net and Support Interventions Survey.

Special Education, Alternative Education, and English Learner Survey.

Career Technical Education (CTE) Survey.

Index.