Houston A+ Challenge's high school reform work began in 2001 as a partnership with Houston ISD called the Houston Schools for a New Society initiative, funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
This effort resulted in three significant outcomes, according to an independent evaluation by the University of Texas:
- The institutionalization of literacy coaches in Houston ISD. Researchers noted that schools with a consistent and attentive literacy coach made a great deal of progress in improving the practices of teaching and learning. In 2008, Houston ISD's new "Literacy Leads the Way" initiative expanded this model beyond the comprehensive high schools, adding literacy coaches to all district middle schools and literacy coordinators to regional offices.
- The creation of new, small Houston-area high schools that provide innovative models for student success. Challenge Early College High School was the first of its kind in the state, giving rise to a number of dual-credit campuses where students can graduate high school with an associate's degree. Houston Academy for International Studies and Sharpstown International High School established through partnerships with Asia Society, give students a global education in a small setting. And Empowerment College Preparatory incorporates service learning into students' core curriculum.
- The identification of Critical Friends Group processes as the key to allowing reformers to engage in "messy, professional conversations" that are vital to the success of school improvement efforts. Research shows that school reform efforts are most effective when educators at all levels are commited to a shared vision, have time to plan and reflect collaboratively, and prioritize student success above all else. Critical Friends Groups provide ground-up support for this work.
Note: The final, summative report of this five-year initiative, published in 2008, can be found here.
Regional Collaborative for High School Redesign
Beginning in 2003, through funding from The Annenberg Foundation and The Brown Foundation, Houston A+ Challenge expanded the high school work into other districts in the Houston metropolitan region: Aldine, Alief, Humble and Spring Branch.
Sixteen high schools within those districts were selected to become a part of the Houston A+ Challenge Regional Collaborative for High School Redesign.
Teachers and administrators met monthly to collaborate on the school reform process, participate in cross-site visits to every campus in the fall, and attend a January leadership conference and an end-of year conference to review progress.
In June 2008, the principals of these high schools, in collaboration with Houston A+ Challenge, authored a report to document key accomplishments in improving the school culture, learning conditions, professional competencies and student achievement in Houston-area schools.
