MDRC K-12 Education Publications http://www.mdrc.org K-12 Education Publications, Fast Facts, Issue Focus Briefs, and Videos from MDRC us-en © 2007 MDRC 2008-08-13 Brad Petrie <brad.petrie@mdrc.org> Brad Petrie <brad.petrie@mdrc.org> MDRC Logo http://www.mdrc.org/images/site/nav_logo.gif http://www.mdrc.org National High School Center Publishes Briefs for Practitioners by MDRC Experts: http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=9WPfyEGorXayNsSx7DAi The National High School Center has just released a set of briefs, authored by MDRC consultants Michael Bangser and Thomas J. Smith, that examine what is known about educational interventions that help students prepare for postsecondary education and employment. Career Academies: Long-Term Impacts on Labor Market Outcomes, Educational Attainment, and Transitions to Adulthood http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=D15M2KD6H9DY9e89J9i5 Eight-year findings on Career Academies a popular high school reform that combines academics with career development opportunities show that the programs produced sustained employment and earnings gains, particularly among young men. Career Academy participants were also more likely to be living independently with children and a spouse or a partner. The Evaluation of Enhanced Academic Instruction in After-School Programs: Findings After the First Year of Implementation http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=jj9dygYkSKfexPeuN0RJ This report presents one-year implementation and impact findings on two supplemental academic instruction approaches developed for after-school settings one for math and one for reading. Compared with regular after-school programming, the supplemental math program had impacts on student SAT 10 test scores and the supplemental reading program did not although the reading program had some effect on reading fluency. Issue Focus: Sustaining Change in High School Reform http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=YzS68iaUPmu1U4ObSb6E MDRC's research suggests that the twin pillars of high school reform are structural changes to improve personalization and instructional improvement. Yet, introducing change into high schools and making it stick goes beyond just employing discrete interventions. It requires adequate investment and perseverance. Issue Focus: Preparing Students for the World Beyond High School http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=w4gO2C1vh9GzECntme8K Students in low-performing schools need special assistance in preparing for postsecondary education and for better-paying jobs. Among the high school reform initiatives studied by MDRC, the Career Academy model is most clearly oriented toward the goal of helping students prepare for a productive future by giving them work-based learning opportunities while in high school. Issue Focus: Improving Instructional Content and Practice in Low-Performing High Schools http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=nx9JM1yiZc1zXvRIxAA2 Low-performing high schools serving disadvantaged students are more likely to have less experienced and less knowledgeable teachers than other schools. MDRC's recent evaluations of three high school reform models offer lessons about improving the content and delivery of what is taught in high schools. VIDEO: Making Progress Toward Graduation: Evidence from the Talent Development High School Project http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=oGMxIPSz4Co7KpXjX3IL MDRCs study of Talent Development, a program meant to lower dropout rates and increase academic success in low-performing high schools, produced encouraging results. In this seven-minute video, researcher Corinne Herlihy summarizes the findings. VIDEO: Career-Related Experiences in High School Can Help Students Earn More Later http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=DbnmHZ2aywQNKEFiRmJd Career Academies, a high school reform initiative, produced large, long-term increases in the earnings of young men. This short video summarizes the latest findings. Fast Fact: Ninth-Grade Attendance Rates Predict High School Graduation http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=ZKBg7gsBFWkeL4EJinqa Fast Fact: Closing the Aspirations-Attainment Gap for Urban High School Students http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=NZ18gchq0QlLKs1poxlm Fast Fact: First Things First School Reform Initiative Increases Student Achievement in Kansas City http://www.mdrc.org/sps/go.cgi?c=5nc7mXW0MjjJDF3CvsW3