1. Unique Challenges of High Schools
This presentation will look
at some of the things that
make high school
improvement hard:
• Federal funding
priorities
• Accountability systems
• School climate
High schools face unique
challenges.

2. Federal Funding Priorities
Federal assistance goes
to schools to help offset
the effects of poverty.
However, even though
high schools serve 22%
of all students, they get
just 10% of federal
dollars.

3. Federal Funding Priorities
Federal assistance goes
to schools to help offset
the effects of poverty.
However, even though
high schools serve 22%
of all students, they get
just 10% of federal
dollars.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Elementary Middle High School
57%ofstudents
76%ofdollars
225ofstudents
10%ofdollars

4. Accountability
On one hand, school
staff can feel so
pressures to increase
test scores that lower-
achieving students get
“pushed out” of school.
On the other hand, if
there’s not enough focus
on achievement,
students get passed
from grade to grade
without the skills they
need to succeed.

5. School Climate
• 47% of students who
drop out cite boredom
as reason
• Students of color are
more likely to be stuck
in remedial classes,
referred to special
education
• Less access to
challenging curriculum
• Boredom = lower
attendance, discipline
problems

6. A Safe Place To Learn
• Students of color
suspended more
often and for less
serious offenses
• Students of color say
they feel less safe at
school
• Relationships with
teachers and other
caring adults

7. Getting – and Keeping – Good
Teachers
Students of color are
more likely to be in
schools with high
teacher turnover and
fewer experienced
teachers.

8. Meeting the Challenge
High schools across the
country are having
success redesigning
high school and seeing
results.
Check out our other
resources to learn more.