Five years ago at South Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas, 23 percent of the students were considered to be at-risk of failing or dropping out. Under the High Schools That Work program, teachers and administrators at South Grand Prairie High School decided to organize all students into small learning communities based on five career themes: business and computer technology, creative and performing arts, communications, humanities and law, health science and human services and mathematics, science and engineering. It was established as a goal-oriented, career-focused program. Students were also introduced to two new courses entitled keystone, for freshman and sophomores, and capstone, for juniors and seniors. The courses promoted students to do independent research, develop personal portfolios and interact with community leaders, who provide insights and guidance about life after graduation. South Grand Prairie High School was recognized by the Texas Education Agency for its large one year increase in the percentage of students who completed one of two higher-level graduation plans: the Recommended graduation plan and the Distinguished Advanced Placement plan.

A large-scale effort to engage state, district and local leaders in partnership with students, parents, and the community, High Schools That Work is a Southern Regional Educational Board initiative to improve the way all high school students are prepared for work and further education. Used in more than 1,100 sites in 26 states, the HSTW framework sets high expectations and gets more students to meet them. Students complete a challenging program of study with an upgraded academic core and a major that integrates functional hands-on learning. Teachers work together to plan and deliver integrated instruction, and each student has an advising team and a six-year individualized success plan that stays with the student for four years, ensuring the completion of the academic program and setting goals beyond high school. A structured extra-help system is provided to students who lack adequate preparation.

An independent study in 2001 showed that "in a two-year period between 1996 and 1998, High Schools That Work sites significantly increased the percentages of students in their senior classes who met the HSTW achievement goals in mathematics, science, and reading and the percentages of students in their senior classes who completed the HSTW-recommended program of study."

Gene Bottoms, the network's founder, cited a 15 percent rise in the percent of HSTW students who said they were going on for further study. He also said the HSTW students take remedial courses "at substantially declining rates" compared to other high school graduates.

Contact:

Roy J. Garcia
Principal, South Grand Prairie High School
301 W. Warrior Trail
Grand Prairie, TX 75052

Phone: (972) 343-1502
Fax: (972) 642-7902
E-mail: roy.garcia@gpisd.org