Student Engagement and Options | Teaching and Leadership
Accelerated Transitions | Key Links | Contacts
These organizations are good sources of information on efforts to transform the nation's high schools.
Independent organization founded by a group of Governors and CEOs to advocate for standards-based reform in the nation's public schools.
American Diploma Project
Coalition of four national education organizations and five states that seeks to identify the core knowledge and skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education or business, and ensure that high school graduates possess those skills.
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
International nonprofit organization that reports key policies and practices in "all aspects of effective teaching and learning-such as professional development, educational leadership, and capacity building."
Brown Center on Education Policy (Brookings Institute)
Research center focused on "efforts to improve academic achievement in elementary and secondary schools," with an eye toward informing policymakers at all levels of government.
Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed at Risk (CRESPAR)
Research center focused on strategies to transform education so that schools set "high expectations for all students, and ensure that all students receive a rich and demanding curriculum with appropriate assistance and support."
Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)
Nonprofit organization working on behalf of state agencies that serve pre-K-12 students nationwide. Among other activities, CCSSO provides technical assistance that "supports state education agencies in developing standards-based systems that enable all children to succeed."
Council of Great City Schools
"Coalition of 60 of the nation's largest urban public school systems" dedicated to improving the quality of urban education.
Council for Basic Education
"[N]ational non-profit organization [that] advocates high academic standards for all students and exemplary teaching in every classroom in our nation's public schools."
Education Commission of the States
Nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving public education by "facilitating the exchange of information, ideas and experiences among state policymakers and education leaders" nationwide. Includes numerous education policy projects and centers.
Online, nonpartisan journal focused on research-based policy arguments and insights that help move the nation toward bold change in the K-12 public education system.
Advocacy and research group dedicated to closing the achievement gap "that separates low-income students and students of color from other youth" by working for high standards and high expectations for all.
Federal Student Aid
This website assists students of all ages plan for education beyond high school.
High Schools That Work
School improvement initiative that features a challenging curriculum that blends academic and career material to motivate and encourage all students to achieve.
Institute for Educational Leadership
Nonprofit group focused on forming and strengthening alliances among education and community leaders (from traditional and nontraditional settings) to improve the quality of public education nationwide.
Jobs for the Future
Nonprofit organization that "seeks to accelerate the educational and economic advancement of youth and adults struggling in our economy." JFF has several initiatives underway on restructuring high schools to create more effective learning environments.
MDRC, Education Policy
Research organization that evaluates programs and policies to identify what works best to improve the lives of low-income people. The education policy division is particularly focused on methods to help low-income students achieve in school, and on closing the achievement gap.
National Association of Secondary School Principals
Research and advocacy organization supporting secondary school principals.
National Governors' Association, Education Division
Support organization for the nation's governors that provides technical assistance, policy analysis, and information on best practices relating to education.
NCES, Elementary/Secondary Education Surveys
Department of Education's statistical research agency. The NCES elementary/secondary education surveys include data on high school course-taking and transitions between high school and college or work.
Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)
Research and action group formed by Southern business, education and government leaders to improve every aspect of education, from early childhood to doctoral degrees to adult learning.
The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
Foundation that "supports research, publications and action projects" in the area of education reform, particularly those focused on standards-based accountability and educational diversity, competition and choice.