More High School Graduates: How Schools Can Save Students from Dropping Out

A proven system to boost high school graduation rates This guide helps school leaders and government policymakers boost high school graduation rates. Drawing from his knowledge as an education official and professor, author Ben Levin presents a system to turn around secondary schools that is adaptable for local-, district-, and state-level decision making. Components include: Keeping track of all students' progress and intervening early to prevent failure Establishing curriculum and graduation requirements that support increased student success Improving teaching and learning Connecting with the community to engage families, local businesses, and other stakeholders in improving graduation rates Implementing methods for planning, communicating, and winning support

About the Author :
Ben Levin is a professor and Canada Research Chair in Education Leadership and Policy at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. His career is about half as an academic and half as a senior civil servant. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, Harvard University, and the University of Toronto, and also holds an honorary degree from the University of Ottawa. He has worked with private research organizations, school districts, provincial governments, and national and international agencies, as well as building an outstanding academic and research career. As a civil servant, he served as Deputy Minister (chief civil servant) for Education for the Province of Ontario from 2004 to 2007 and again in 2008-09. From 1999 through 2002, he was Deputy Minister of Education and of Advanced Education for the Province of Manitoba. As a scholar he has published seven books and more than 200 other articles on education in professional and academic publications. He gives talks and consults on education issues around the world. His current interests are in large-scale change, poverty and inequity, and finding better ways to connect research to policy and practice in education.

Review :
"This book offers specific strategies for enhancing the probability that students will fulfill graduation requirements and attain the necessary skills to be successful in life. More importantly, the book captures the essence of what every student needs in order to reach these successful outcomes: To feel connected and valued."--John Rice, Director of Science, and Technology Education "Ben Levin's book is a positive and convincing call to action for every teacher, principal, superintendent, and school board member who wants to make high schools better for learners."--Canadian Education Association, Vo1 52 No. 4, Fall 2012 "Electrifying. Addresses the reasons why the graduation rate in the United States has declined over the years and explains how this injustice to students can and must be rectified."--Belinda J. Raines, Principal "This is a thought-provoking book for school improvement teams and high school faculties to use in jump-starting their school reform. Many popular myths are debunked and out-of-the-box thinking will challenge current paradigms in education."--Kelly VanLaeken, Principal