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May 2023Volume 23, No. 2
High Schools That Matter


High school students across the country increasingly report a lack of relevancy in their classes and a feeling of unpreparedness for postsecondary life. How can students’ high school experience be restructured for their long-term success? Authors of in this issue of The State Education Standard reimagine the high school experience, illuminating the data, policy reforms, and engagement with students, families, and educators that must align to make redesign possible.


High Schools That Matter



A New Architecture for High School Learning

By Russlynn Ali and Timothy F.C. Knowles

State leaders should retire the Carnegie unit and open the door for high school designs that ensure learning is engaging, relevant, experiential, and competency based.





Telltale Signs of Rigor and Career Readiness in High School

By Gene Bottoms

State boards can take a lesson from schools that already dish up rigorous assignments in college- and career-ready courses alike and ensure more schools do it.





How Rhode Island Increased the Value of a High School Diploma

By Angélica Infante-Green

New graduation requirements aim to align with college admission standards and address inequities in college and career readiness.





Access to Data Is Key to Navigating High School and Beyond

By Jennifer Bell-Ellwanger

Surveyed students report being at sea on postsecondary options and the progress they are making toward their goals.






Merging High School and College: The Early College High School Model

By Julie A. Edmunds

Six elements in statewide law and policy pave the way for effective programs that help more students thrive in college courses while they are still in high school.






Opinion



Young black man speaking on panel. Image credit: iStock

Student Voice: Hands-On Learning in a Technology-Focused World

By Lauren Knopp

A balanced education can help every student achieve the greatest possible success.





Student hands on computer keyboard. Image credit: iStock

We the Media: Stepping Out on the Public Square

By Renée Rybak Lang

Communications folks can help your board develop media relationships that will lead to better reporting and a keener understanding of the board's policy decisions and initiatives.





Large group of business people sitting in a row in the office. Focus is on happy businessman looking at the camera.

From the President’s Pen: Diving Deep into What Makes an Amazing High School

By Paolo DeMaria

There are wonderful, student-centric high schools in every state. My advice is to find them, visit, and probe into what they are doing well.





News & Notes: May 2023

By Reg Leichty and Jamie Brandon

The president is seeking significant increases in the overall education budget.







Featured Items

Complexity of thought processes and the human mind. Thoughts, creativity, emotions, mental health, vibrant art collage. Psychology, self-analysis, mental disorders and wellbeing, cognitive processes i

States Take Next Steps on Governing AI Use in Schools

In 2026, state boards of education are likely to move beyond issuing AI guidance and toward monitoring implementation and possibly developing policies.
Happy African American teacher and elementary student talking while walking through hallway. i

States Start Up Registered Principal Apprenticeships

A handful of states have been launching federally registered apprenticeships to better prepare new principals, remove barriers to entering the profession, and combat turnover.
A young university student female is practicing her welding skills i

Demonstrating Skills of Value

State education leaders are focused on ensuring students graduate ready for life after high school—but how do students know they’re building valuable, transferable skills, and how will employers and colleges recognize them?

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