Scaling Up Ninth-Grade Student Success Teams in One Oregon School District

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: Policy and State-Level Improvement Issues

Abstract

Academic success in ninth grade is one of the strongest predictors of high school graduation. As a result, it has been the focus of high school reform and dropout-prevention initiatives for many years. This study examines the implementation and outcomes of one such effort. Portland Public Schools (PPS) in Oregon is supporting students’ transition into ninth grade with student success teams (SSTs) and a cross-school community of practice for team leads. The authors use mixed methods to examine implementation and outcomes of the strategies over the first year and a half of the initiative. Early findings suggest that the initiative is transforming discourse and organizational practice in participating high schools and is keeping more students on the graduation path.

Authors

• Nettie Legters, Portland Public Schools

• Alexis Burnett, Portland Public Schools