Toward Ensuring a Smooth Transition Into High School by by Corinne Herlihy, MDRC "Common features of American high schools increase the challenge of making a successful transition for many students. High schools are typically larger and more bureaucratic than elementary and middle schools, which lead to depersonalization and a lack of sense of community (Lee & Smith, 2001). When moving from middle grades to high school there is often a shift from focusing on teaching and nurturing the whole child to focusing—in a more limited way—on instructing students to learn the content of academic subjects. Both teachers and students report that the environment becomes more and more socially comparative and competitive in orientation as students move into high school (Roeser, Strobel, & Quihuis, 2002). Most large public high schools organize instruction around curricular tracks that sort students into different groups, which are often associated more with students’ social class and ethnicity than with differences in talents and interests (Lee & Bryk, 1989). In addition, the transition may be more difficult for Latino students, especially if they are English language learners, and for students with disabilities (Askos & Galassi, 2004). Finally, these challenges are compounded by the fact that far too many of those entering the first year of high school are already testing below proficiency in math and reading." http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED501073.pdf Thomas A. Edison High School, Philadelphia, PA: http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/edison/index.html School District of Philadelphia: http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/ A policy brief authored by Corinne Herlihy of MDRC and the National High School Center: State and District Level Support for Successful Transitions into High School [http://www.betterhighschools.org/docs/NHSC_PolicyBrief_ TransitionsIntoHighSchool.pdf] An issue brief authored by Corinne Herlihy of MDRC and the National High School Center: Toward Ensuring a Smooth Transition Into High School [http://www.betterhighschools.org/docs/NHSC_TowardEnsuring_051607.pdf] A fact sheet authored by the National High School Center: The First Year of High School: A Quick Stats Fact Sheet [http://www.betterhighschools.org/docs/NHSC_FirstYearofHighSchool_032807.pdf]