National High School Center

The National High School Center, based at the American Institutes for Research, serves as a central source of information on high school improvement and is funded by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department Of Education. Through its work, the National High School Center aims to ensure that all students perform to their fullest potential and are adequately prepared for college, work, and life after high school. A significant portion of National High School Center work includes identifying strategies that have a proven track record for students with disabilities and English Language Learners.

As part of a national network of Comprehensive Centers, the National High School Center works with the 16 Regional Comprehensive Centers (RCCs), technical assistance centers, designed to increase the capacity to carry out the state’s goals of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In meeting this goal, the National High School Center identifies programs and tools, offers products, and provides technical assistance to support the use of research-based practices as they relate to high schools.

The National High School Center’s work in the high school arena is mapped into three main focus areas: High School Readiness, Rigorous Content Mastery, and Postsecondary Pathways. The National High School Center defines these areas as such:

High School Readiness: These topics include the transition from middle school to high school, with a special focus on the first year of high school (often but not always ninth grade); prerequisite learning skills; behavioral issues (motivational, social, physical, and emotional); dropout prevention; and student personalization.

Rigorous Content Mastery: Within this focus area, the National High School Center encourages rigorous and appropriate course work for all students. Areas of close attention include college prerequisites; differentiated instruction; high school literacy; Response to Intervention (RTI); and accelerated learning through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and honors courses.

Postsecondary Pathways: Areas of particular focus include Early College High Schools, dual enrollment, and programs assisting with the transition out of high school to postsecondary education and work.

Through its Web site (www.betterhighschools.org), information is provided free of charge on pressing topics related to high school improvement. National High School Center resources include information for technical assistance providers, policymakers, and educators on dropout prevention, transitions into high school, transitions out of high school, restructuring high schools, high school literacy, and high school curriculum and instruction. The National High School Center’s Web site facilitates the following activities:

Tools and Products. The National High School Center provides resources, such as reports, issue and policy briefs, fact sheets, and guides, on practices and information regarding high school topics and high school improvement.

Webinars and Dialogues. These interactive forums provide guidance on a variety of relevant topics related to curriculum and practices in high schools, such as dropout prevention and transitions into high school. They also include interactive discussions that allow participants to share information around common challenges.

Electronic Exchanges. Through E-news for Better High Schools, National High School Center’s electronic newsletter, the National High School Center keeps stakeholders informed of tools and products, news and events, and research regarding high school improvement.

National High School Center Links

National High School Center Web site

American Institutes for Research Web site

Key Words

high school improvement, education research, special education