Monica Martinez and Judy Bray, National Alliance on the American High School
May 2002
This 40-page report by the National Alliance on the American High School analyzes states' numerous and varied policies to improve secondary schools. These policies are grouped into three main categories: (1) those that address high-school-specific issues like credits, graduation requirements and the GED exam; (2) those that "detail opportunities to learn," including basic funding, remedial help, teacher certification, charter schools, and other options beyond the traditional comprehensive high school; and (3) "new" policies such as standards, assessments and accountability. Each policy area is described with a view toward the latest trends, longstanding assumptions, and resulting tensions. Given the wide range of state policies, the report concludes that there is little agreement on what Americans expect from their high schools, and that state and local officials are struggling for control of the issue, which helps account for the lack of significant academic gains in grades 9-12. Martinez and Bray challenge states to create a set of coherent, well-defined policies regarding the role of the high school-one that defines progress in terms of high academic standards and achievement, not seat time. A PDF version of this report can be found at http://www.hsalliance.org/Allfinal.pdf. You can request a free hard copy via email ([email protected]), fax (202-822-8405), or snail mail (Publications, IEL, 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20036).
