In Essex County, New Jersey, whose county seat is Newark, students have the option of attending one of four vocational high schools. The Essex County Vocational School District draws students from the county seeking instruction in a multitude of career and technical areas. North 13th Street Technical School is one of the four vocational options. The 600 to 700 students who choose this school receive occupational training in the areas of law and public safety, computer and information systems technology, hospitality/personal services, construction trades, and business technology. In the past, many have struggled to meet state academic standards, and the school was not making Adequate Yearly Progress as defined under the No Child Left Behind Act. In the last few years, however, students' level of success has been rising. Principal Patricia Clark-Jeter noted that the number of 10th and 11th graders on the honor roll increased, and more students than ever are being admitted to college. According to Candice Wells-Crudup, chairperson of the school-based professional development committee, the significant factor is that special needs students met the federal standards for improvement, a feat that "only could have happened because of teacher collaboration." The change in the school may be at least partially attributed to a new approach teachers are taking to improve their professional learning--which affects their approach in the classroom. In the last several years, many have worked diligently to form professional learning communities, sharing best practices, attending national conferences, and ramping up what they understand about how best to reach all students to help them achieve.