In their second collaboration, Wilcox and Angelis tell the stories of high school educators who embody best practices in their day-to-day activitiespractices that consistently lead to higher student academic achievement across the core subjects for all students. This book shares results of a multi-case study of how some high schools consistently deliver better student performance, including improved four-year graduation rates. These schools have learned how to successfully adapt to the climate of increased (and increasing) accountability. Best Practices from High-Performing High Schools is for anyone who strives to ensure that all teens graduate from high school and are ready to succeed in college, in their careers, and in life.

Publisher Description

With so much now expected of middle leaders in schools, this book aims to help those in middle leadership positions to become more confident and effective in their roles. It systematically considers every aspect of the role including team building, raising standards, holding others to account and managing change. With a wealth of practical guidance, the book covers the essential skills needed by middle leaders such as managing meetings, conducting difficult conversations and development planning while also offering insights into why some middle leaders are so much more effective than others. Covering all aspects of middle leadership, features include: an analysis of different leadership styles case studies written by current middle leaders in schools reflection and action points throughout This book is essential reading for secondary school teachers who are about to become middle leaders and need guidance on how to get to grips with the role. It will also be of value to existing middle leaders who want to improve their performance and effectiveness.

The second report from "A Study of High Schools," based on interviews with teachers, students and parents.

"Middle and high school counselors will find this book to be very helpful for its practical and hands-on approach." —Karen Thompson, Assistant Professor Psychology & Counseling Valdosta State University "This is a great collection of resources to aid secondary school counselors." —John Littrell, Professor of Counselor Education/Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Iowa State University "This is an outstanding addition to the field." —Greg Brigman, Professor of Counselor Education Florida Atlantic University "The material is especially helpful because of the separation in grade levels. I often find it difficult to find material specifically designed for transitions from ninth to tenth grade AND from sixth to seventh. This is one of the most valued sections of the book for me." —Judy Buchholz, Ninth-Grade School Counselor D. W. Holmes Junior High School, CA "This is a major contribution to best practices in school counseling." —Gerald Monk, Professor of Psychology & Counseling San Diego State University "...an invaluable resource for school counselors." —Barbara Blackburn, ASCA Secondary Vice President and President Elect Innovative and essential strategies for charting a course toward an effective secondary school counseling program! The recent wave of accountability reform movements has largely overlooked the needs of middle and high school counselors, yet has generated daunting pressure for guidance programs to be standards-based and data-driven. Written from the perspective of a practicing, certified counselor, this guide contains essential information needed to implement the American School Counselor Association′s National Model and smoothly transition from service-based to program-based counseling. The book affirms that the school′s guidance and counseling program play an integral role in the instructional program and overall school success. Best Practices for Effective Secondary School Counselors centers on six best practices and highlights specific action plans and examples for each one, allowing counseling staff to easily implement the comprehensive programs outlined. Key features include: Time-saving checklists, surveys, and forms Straightforward tactics for applying six best practices Strategies for stress management Tips for writing successful letters of recommendation An extensive resource and Web site list From evaluation, advisement and communication, to career education, transition, and professional development, this user-friendly text features relevant and proven solutions for counselors′ primary concerns.

This book highlights the work of talented teachers and tutors who connect theory and practice with the lessons they learned from working with students in their high school writing centers. The authors offer innovative methods for secondary and post-secondary educators interested in adolescent literacy, English Language Learners, new literacies, writing center pedagogy and evaluation, embedded professional development, differentiated instruction, and cross-institutional collaboration. The Successful High School Writing Center demonstrates how writing centers help school communities that serve diverse student populations grapple with the realities that come with literacy education. Depicting real-life writing centers as leaders in literacy education, the accounts presented will enrich the work of teachers, writing center directors, writing center tutors, and student writers in socially significant ways. Book Features: Models of writing centers and literacy centers that explicitly integrate reading and writing across the curriculum. Creative strategies from a diversity of schools, models, and students served. Literacy-based, collaborative research projects for writing center evaluation. Helpful forms.