Press Room
Castle Rock High School to participate in High Schools That Work program
Castle Rock High School is among a handful of Washington high schools that have been selected by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to be among the first in the state to participate in the High Schools That Work program.
High Schools That Work is part of OSPI’s initiative to spur and support effective reform in secondary schools. The effort focuses on schools adopting 10 practices that research has shown to influence dramatic improvement at the high school level.
“High schools have a unique structure and many of the reforms that took hold more easily in the elementary and middle schools just haven’t had the same impact at the secondary level,” said Bergeson. “That’s why we’re really excited to try an initiative that’s designed for effective high school change, ultimately leading to better learning outcomes for students.”
Though participating schools won’t receive a dollar allocation, the service grants provide the schools with professional development, research, surveys and assessments, and facilitated planning to help each school successfully instill each of the 10 strategies into their school culture over the next three years.
In turn, these schools will be closely studied and evaluated to determine if they are making greater progress toward improving student learning than other high schools in the state.
Participating high schools are expected to participate for three years with the ultimate goal of embedding all 10 High Schools That Work practices within their culture.