A Framework and Recommendations for Federal Action on Secondary School Reform (PDF)
2008

In response to the need to dramatically change the way secondary schools operate and teach their students, the Alliance for Excellent Education has developed a Framework for Federal Action to Improve Secondary Schools. This systemic reform agenda reflects the growing consensus of researchers, practitioners, and advocates who are translating valuable lessons from research and practice into recommendations for policy.

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Key Pieces of Secondary School Legislation Pending Before Congress (PDF)
March 7, 2008

This two-page document summarizes the nine pieces of secondary school legislation pending before Congress supported by the Alliance for Excellent Education, including sponsor and cosponsor information.

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Understanding High School Graduation Rates (Updated)
January 16, 2008

The unacceptably low graduation rates of America’s youth have been obscured for far too long by inaccurate data, misleading calculations and reporting, and flawed accountability systems. Nationally, and for each state, “Understanding High School Graduation Rates” illustrates the discrepancies in graduation rates reported by government and independent sources, examines why this is important, and describes core policy areas that are fundamental to calculating, reporting, and improving accurate graduation rates.

Learn more about high school graduation rates in your state

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Alliance for Excellent Education’s Agenda for the Reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (PDF)
January 31, 2008

On behalf of all of America’s secondary school students, and in particular for the more than six million who are most at-risk of academic failure, the Alliance for Excellent Education (the Alliance) calls on Congress to complete a No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) reauthorization this year that includes the following recommendations. These policies will build on the ideals of “no child left behind” and help to lead the nation toward “every child a graduate.” This document outlines the Alliance’s priorities for a NCLB reauthorization and, for each recommendation, describes Congressional action to date.

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In Need of Improvement: NCLB and High Schools Policy Briefs (PDF)
October 27, 2007

When the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) was drafted and signed into law, little attention was paid to the unique challenges that exist in the nation’s high schools and what is best known about how to improve them. As a result, the law emerged with provisions that often neglect, or that are even at odds with, the needs of America’s millions of high school students, particularly the six million students who are most at risk of dropping out of school each year. The brief describes these design and implementation flaws and how they undermine the educational and equity promises of NCLB at the high school level. In Need of Improvement: NCLB and High Schools calls on Congress to take the opportunity during the reauthorization of the law to build on the ideals of “no child left behind” and pass legislation that will lead the nation toward “every child a graduate.”

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Federal Support for Adolescent Literacy: A Solid Investment Issue Briefs (PDF)
June 12, 2007

In March 2007, legislation was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate to authorize the Striving Readers program, designed to support high-quality reading and writing instruction for millions of students in grades 4–12. But skeptics may wonder: Is there sufficient research to justify a major new federal investment in this area? As this Issue Brief shows, there have been significant findings related to instruction in grades 4-12, the knowledge base on adolescent literacy continues to expand, and the research does indeed provide a solid foundation for effective policymaking.

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Accountability for What Matters – Graduates Prepared for Success (PDF)
2006 Conference Panel paper
October 12, 2006

Prior to, and certainly since, the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), “accountability” has taken center stage as a critical tool for increasing student success and closing achievement gaps. Indeed, valid, transparent accountability systems—properly designed and implemented—can be a major force as schools, districts, states, and the nation work toward those goals. Unfortunately, the current NCLB accountability system is too often a blunt instrument where it should be a precise tool for promoting positive change. This is especially true at the high school level, where graduation rates are not sufficiently valued and there is a dearth of funding for school improvement.

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NCLB and Middle Schools: Confronting the Challenges Policy Briefs (PDF)
July 1, 2003

America's middle schools have a problem. Like elementary and high schools, they must meet a barrage of new requirements as the result of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). But NCLB treats middle schools like high schools some of the time, like elementary schools at other times, and lets individual states determine their status in some situations. NCLB and Middle Schools clarifies the NCLB mandates particular to middle schools. The brief describes the difficulties that school boards, superintendents, and school administrators are likely to face as they try to meet the NCLB requirements by their impending deadlines, and offers a series of recommendations designed to help train middle school teachers in academics and in meeting the unique developmental needs of their students, provide them with critical professional development resources, and provide incentives to attract highly qualified teachers to high needs areas.

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Left Out and Left Behind: NCLB and the American High School
September 1, 2003

Out of Print

Left Out and Left Behind: NCLB and the American High School details the NCLB mandates particular to high schools, and documents the specifics of the shortfall in federal funding needed to effectively implement NCLB's requirements for standards and accountability. Also included in the report is the first release of nationwide and state-by-state numbers of schools which have been determined to be "in need of improvement," as well as a compilation of state and city graduation rates. The report recommends specific actions that the federal government can take to greatly improve the educational prospects of America's most at-risk secondary school students.

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Investing in Excellence: Making Title I Work for All Children
September 3, 2002

Out of Print

Investing in Excellence: Making Title I Work for All Children shows how the federal government can lead the way in providing states and local school districts with the resources necessary to address the challenge and realize the vision—by fully funding Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Title I can be the driving force for educational excellence for all students by providing funds to reduce class size, train teachers, offer after-school and summer enrichment, deliver tutoring, and update curricula.

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