This study examines the effects of early experiences and behaviors on course failure, grade point average, and educational aspirations, analyzing survey data gathered from 20 high schools participating in a whole-school reform initiative aimed at helping troubled high schools. All of the schools served mainly poor and minority students. Students…

The research reported in this paper examined a set of innovative high school programs on community college campuses. Specifically, a full-time dual enrollment program and 4 middle college high schools were studied. The authors used in-depth interviews and observational data to investigate the structure, processes, and perceptions of effectiveness…

This paper explores the complexities of educational and social conditions encountered by black males, examining the possibilities and limits of comprehensive high school reform strategies in overcoming the negative effects of barriers such as concentrated poverty and ineffective public schools for black adolescents. The paper discusses: the…

The purpose of this study is to examine the degree to which various kinds of out-of-school activities in which adolescents are involved influence their school engagement, achievement, and perceptions of their life chances. It was assumed that, since students spend more time on average outside of school than in school, how they use this time is…

This book offers an alternative to current reform efforts, the talent development approach, detailing organizational, curricular, and instructional strategies that provide practitioners with a blueprint for whole school reform. The book presents the story of what happened in urban high schools when this approach was implemented. There are eight…

Discusses the need for comprehensive reforms in school organization, curriculum and instruction, and professional development to address the problems of large urban high schools. Describes the Talent Development High School with Career Academies model being developed to meet the needs of such schools. (SLD)