Practical Tools to Improve College Access
Putting Kids on the Pathway to College is a set of tools based on a study of thirteen New York City High Schools that are “beating the odds” in improving college access for low-performing ninth-graders. The study identified key strategies and practices these schools used to help their students succeed. These tools include rubrics, surveys, focus group protocols, and examples of best practices to help high schools and their partners examine how well they are preparing students, especially low-income students, for timely graduation and college acceptance.

> Explore/download the tools
> Read the research study

Building Trust in Turnaround Discussions
The widely publicized firing of the entire staff at Central Falls high school in Rhode Island has stirred up national debate about how best to achieve much-needed upgrades for underperforming public schools. The Annenberg Institute has been invited to facilitate discussions among the stakeholders in neighboring Central Falls and offers some ground rules for transparent and trust-building conversation.

> Read commentary

Annenberg Institute at AERA
Eight researchers affiliated with the Institute will be participating in the 2010 annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association. Topic areas for AISR participants include community and parent leadership for educational improvement, politics of school district turnaround programs, school safety and discipline, literacy strategies and practice, and data collection on homeless students. The conference is being held in Denver and runs from April 30 to May 5.

> AISR flyer
> AERA annual meeting site

Components of a Smart Education System
Highlights from the first twenty-five issues of Voices in Urban Education illustrate different components of a smart education system from a variety of perspectives. The disparate voices brought together by VUE have not always agreed, but out of their dialogue, common ground and a vision for smart education systems have emerged. Building Smart Education Systems (VUE #26) features articles on accountability (Michelle Fine, Janice Bloom and Lori Chajet), out-of-school programs (Glynda Hull and Jessica Zacher), equity (Michael Grady, Ellen Foley and Frank Barnes), civic engagement (Bill Purcell), parent involvement (Joanna Brown), and the federal role (Warren Simmons).

> Read online
> Order a print copy

Understanding Students, Not Just Strategies for Success
The Annenberg Institute will co-sponsor a May 13 program at Providence’s John Hope Settlement House featuring Dr. Pedro Noguera of New York University. The focus is on developing a better understanding of the specific students — African American, Hispanic, Southeast Asian and Native American — to whom education initiatives are being directed, initiatives intended to ensure that all students reach their maximum academic potential K-12 and beyond. Dr. Noguera has done extensive research on the salient issues related to race and the achievement gap.

> Event flyer
> John Hope Settlement House Web site