Insights to Boost High School Success

In Memphis, our 20 partner schools have seen double-digit year-on-year increases in Freshmen On-Track rates thanks to our Freshmen Success Network coaches and partner liaisons. Together, both parties work to ensure that Memphis and Shelby County students receive the support they need to graduate on time from high school.

Across the county, Stand for Children’s Center for High School Success (CHSS) is now systematically supporting 155 in six states to implement proven practices for helping as many ninth graders as possible finish their “make or break year” on track.Through that extensive work with high schools, which span the gamut from small rural to large urban, our coaches witnessed firsthand the triumphs and challenges schools experienced as they attempted to educate students during the global pandemic.

From that unique, wide ranging collective perspective, the CHSS team identified seven stand-out high school practices every school district can and should adopt now to foster greater student success next school year and beyond.Their powerful, actionable three-page brief – “Stand Stronger – Stand-Out High School Practices Every District Can Adopt” – can be found here

compelling op-ed in Hechinger Report by CHSS leaders Habib Bangura and Kaaren Andrews about their first recommendation, implementing 4×4 Scheduling, is being picked up and distributed widely based on our surprising findings about 4×4 scheduling’s major impact on Ninth-Grade-on-Track rates. Please check it out and share it widely.

There has never been a more opportune or important time to adjust practices. Going back to the “old normal” cannot be the goal. A better and more just “new normal” must be the expectation. With the unprecedented challenges Memphis and Shelby County students continue to face during the pandemic, we owe it to them to make their educational journey impactful now more than ever. If you are interested in learning more about the recommended practices for high schools or pushing for ninth-grade success, please contact us at [email protected].

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