Teacher Turnover, Tenure Policies, and the Distribution of Teacher Quality

December 2, 2008

In recent years education reformers have focused a great deal of attention on strategies for enhancing teacher quality. This attention makes sense, as a growing body of evidence points to the overriding importance of teachers in promoting student achievement.

Past Network News - November 20, 2008

November 20, 2008

A glimpse into this month’s edition of the AHSI Network News…

-Early College High School Initiative Fall Forum Highlights!
-StreetSchool Network in Egypt!
-Big Picture Learning Launches New Website!
-NYC Charter Planning Teams Seek Founding Board Members!

Mayors and Superintendents Focus on High School Reform, Dropout Solutions

November 15, 2008

The 2008 Congress of Cities offered a unique opportunity for selected teams of large-city mayors and superintendents to participate in a roundtable discussion on strategies to improve high schools and raise graduation rates.

Past Network News - September 12, 2008

September 12, 2008

A glimpse into this month’s edition of the AHSI Network News…

-Congratulations to Nick Mathern on the birth of his daughter!
-Details on the Multiple Education Pathways Learning Exchange, November 12 – 13!
-YouthBuild USA seeking a Director of Higher Education Achievement!
-Nellie Mae Education Foundation to release RFP on September 15th!

NASS Founder Tom Tillapaugh is Key Panelist at Two White House Summits

April 30, 2008

The April 30 briefing “The Dropout Epidemic in the U.S. and Cross-Sector Solutions” was co-hosted by The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and America’s Promise Alliance (www.americaspromise.org) to explore the scope of America’s dropout crisis and discuss ways to help reverse this “silent epidemic” in partnership with community-based nonprofits and faith-based organizations. White House Faith-Based Director Jay Hein and America’s Promise Alliance Chairwoman Alma Powell (pictured with Tom, at right), lead the briefing.

Alternative High School Initiative to Increase Support for At-Risk Students and Out-of-School Youth

February 14, 2008

The Alternative High School Initiative (AHSI) today announced a new project to deepen the capacity of its member organizations and enhance the quality of its network of high schools that serve struggling students, dropouts, and over-age students who want to complete their high school diplomas. The project will be supported by two grants, totaling $4.5 million, from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to the Big Picture Company and the National League of Cities.

AHSI Hosts Fifth Anniversary Convening in Providence

October 4, 2007

The Alternative High School Initiative Hosts a Fifth Anniversary Convening in Providence, RI with guests including the Providence Mayor, Providence Superintendent, RI Commissioner of Education, representatives of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and national education and policy experts Monday through Wednesday, October 1st-3rd, school developers and education professionals from around the country came together in Providence, RI to address the needs of vulnerable students at The Alternative High School Initiative (AHSI) Fall Convening.

Organized Youth for Education Alternatives Comes to Providence

February 11, 2007

We are a group of young people determined to improve education. During the days of February 8-10, 2007, six dedicated students and one dedicated adult got together at the Met Center in Providence, RI and discussed how exactly to do that.

AHSI Principals Convening: A Student’s Perspective

December 1, 2006

During the days of September 28-30, 2006 I had the opportunity to be one of the first students—along with Albert Saldana, a student from the Met Center School in Providence, RI—to attend the Principals Mini-Convening of the Alternative High School Initiative (AHSI). While being there Albert and I had the opportunity to learn how principals work, think, learn and act. We learned that principals try as much as students do. They have to work hard to maintain a school and be thoughtful about the students who attend.

AHSI Students Attend Leadership Institute

September 27, 2006

Diploma Plus is an alternative high school model for young people at risk of not completing high school or who have already dropped out. Commonwealth Corporation designed this educational model to increase the number and quality of educational alternatives for vulnerable youth.