Beating the Odds: How Thirteen NYC Schools Bring Low-Performing Ninth-Graders to Timely Graduation and College Enrollment

This report from the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University discusses the findings of a qualitative study of 13 New York City schools that have experienced success in improving student outcomes. Through interviews with school administrators, faculty, and staff, the authors discerned four effective practices or key strategies that were shared among the 13 successful schools. These include: academic rigor, networks of timely supports, college expectations and access, and effective use of data. The report also identifies four elements that are needed to ensure continuing success at the schools and aid the scaling-up of effective practices: better distribution of resources, greater control over enrollments, stronger system of support and accountability, and a district office of post-secondary education.