The Philadelphia Inquirer 2005

Posted on Sun, Mar. 19, 2006

Pennsylvania's Project 720, a state Education Department initiative, calls for smaller, personalized high school "learning communities" and higher academic standards.

Stepping up effort for school to work

By Dan Hardy
Inquirer Staff Writer

Many experts agree that virtually all high schools, not just those in big cities, need drastic changes.

Too few students graduate, they say, and too few go on to college or technical training.
In Pennsylvania, 60 percent of high school graduates go directly to a four-year college. Only 62 percent of those are expected to graduate in six years or less. In New Jersey, 63 percent go to college from high school, and 60 percent should graduate within six years.

Pennsylvania's Project 720, a state Education Department initiative, calls for smaller, personalized high school "learning communities" and higher academic standards. Officials want improved career counseling to help students better prepare for work. And they want more students earning college credit while still in high school.

"High school as we know it is going to go through change, some of it dramatic," said Ge! rald Zahorchak, Pennsylvania's education secretary.

State grants of $4.5 million this school year (with $9 million proposed by Gov. Rendell for next year) are funding the projects:

At Perkiomen Valley High School in Collegeville, students are divided into separate "houses," with core courses taught by a team of teachers.

At Oxford Area High School, students will be enrolling in "career academies" beginning next school year, to help them aim toward future job choices.

Springfield High School in Delaware County wants all seniors to be enrolled in college courses or job internships.

The School District of Philadelphia has stepped up counseling and college-readiness activities at two high schools - Carver and Lamberton.

In New Jersey, schools have been sharing ideas and best practices on high school ! reform for the last few years; a state task force offers guidance.

At Cherry Hill High School West, there are seminar English classes for all ninth and 10th graders.

Camden's MetEast High, which opened this fall, features career internships, small enrollment and "advisories," where student progress is closely monitored and teachers meet regularly with parents.

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Contact staff writer Dan Hardy at 610-701-7638 or dhardy@phillynews.com.

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