A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Contact:
Melinda Ulloa
(202) 205-8811

CONTRACTS TO CREATE NEW AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOLS

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education has awarded New American High Schools contracts, totaling more than $3 million, to help schools better prepare students to succeed in a global economy.

The California Institute on Human Services/Sonoma State University has received $1,519,000. A second contract, in the amount of $1,534,000, goes to Jobs of the Future in Boston.

Also, in January, a $1.5 million contract was awarded to the Southern Regional Education Board in Atlanta for an 18-month effort to transform 25 high schools.

Patricia W. McNeil, assistant secretary for vocational and adult education calls New American High Schools "pioneers in creating the high schools of the future. By ensuring that all students achieve challenging academic skills, are prepared for college, and have opportunities to gain the communication, problem-solving, computer, and other technical skills, New American High Schools are making sure students are able to succeed in both postsecondary education and careers of the 21^st century."

These schools create safe and effective learning environments, demonstrate sustained student academic performance and develop partnerships with community, parents and postsecondary institutions.

Schools participating in this initiative will receive hands-on technical assistance and training designed to improve the academic performance of their students, increase attendance and graduation rates and implement effective discipline and safety measures. For example, assistance aimed at raising student achievement will focus on specifics such as curriculum, teaching methods, after-school help, accountability, and the development of effective relationships between middle schools, high schools and postsecondary institutions.

In addition, schools receiving assistance under these contracts have the exclusive opportunity to compete for the New American High Schools recognition award during the spring of 2000.

The contract with the California Institute on Human Services/Sonoma State University, in cooperation with the California Department of Education, will provide intensive technical assistance to 20 schools in the California High Schools Network.

The schools selected to participate are:

Albany High School Albany	New Technology High School Napa
Aragon High School San Mateo	North Monterey County High School Castroville
Bullard High School Fresno	Oak Park High School Oak Park
Clayton Valley High School Concord	Oak Ridge Academy El Dorado Hills
Coast Union High School Cambria	San Rafael High School San Rafael
Guajome Park Academy High School Vista	Santa Cruz High School Santa Cruz
Irvington High School Fremont	Villa Park High School Villa Park
Kelseyville High School Kelseyville	Wheatland High School Wheatland
Laguna Creek High School Elk Grove
Leland High School San Jose
Leadership High School San Francisco
Manual Arts High School Los Angeles

Thirty-seven schools will become New American High Schools under a contract awarded to Jobs for the Future, based in Boston:

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