High Schools That Work | Virginia Department of Education

Program Description

Staff development for High Schools That Work is provided periodically. The sessions for High Schools That Work are based on the belief that most students can master complex academic and technical concepts if schools create an environment that encourages students to make the effort to succeed. These sessions evolve around ten key practices for changing what is expected of students, what they are taught and how they are taught. These include such things as: setting higher expectations; increasing access to intellectually challenging career and technical education studies; increasing access to academic studies that teach the essential concepts from the college preparatory curriculum; providing a structured system of extra help for targeted students; and involving each student and his or her parents in a guidance and advising system.

Virginia Standard(s) Addressed

All Virginia Standards

Program Goals and Objectives

By the end of this program participants will demonstrate the ability to implement more fully the ten key practices for changing what is expected of students, what they are taught, and how they are taught.

Program Format

Ongoing training with multiple instructional strategies.

Target Audience

School personnel involved in implementing the High Schools That Work school improvement model.

Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division

Schools interested in becoming a High Schools That Work (HSTW) site must submit a grant application for review by the Virginia Department of Education during an announced grant application period.

Duration of Program

Ongoing.

Outcomes Measured

Improved student achievement in reading, mathematics, English, and science.

Program Evaluation

HSTW assessment of a random sample of seniors, student and teacher surveys, and site visits by a Technical Assistance Team.

Contact Information

Connie Williams, Coordinator
High Schools That Work
Career and Technical Education
Virginia Department of Education
P. O. Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218-2120
(804) 786-7072
connie.williams@doe.virginia.gov

va-Lead is an exciting new joint venture between e-Lead and the Virginia State Action for Education Leadership Project (SAELP), which is funded by The Wallace Foundation and housed at Virginia Commonwealth University.