Complete Tool Set
The complete tool set provides all the BTO tools in one publication: a framework and rubric, a student survey, a focus group protocol for students, and a focus group protocol and parent handout for families. Together, these tools enable high schools and their partners to get a multifaceted look at how well they are preparing students for timely graduation and college.
Framework and Rubric
This publication contains a framework that identifies indicators for key practices found in high schools whose students are beating the odds, along with a rubric that describes three levels of performance for each indicator, examples of specific practices from BTO schools, a blank rubric form, and a list of resources. The rubric enables high schools and their districts, partners, and community to assess the effectiveness of their current programs and practices at helping students graduate on time and ready for college-level work.
Student Survey Tool
This student survey complements the College Pathways Rubric as a “reality check” to find out whether students agree (or disagree) that they experience in your school the good practices described in the rubric. The survey also asks about what programs the school offers to support students’ timely graduation and preparation for college and about what the students themselves find useful.
Focus Group Protocol for Students
This protocol provides instructions for a facilitator to lead a focus group discussion for students on how well students think their school is preparing them to graduate and go to college. Included are a sample script, a series of open-ended questions, and suggestions for keeping a record of the responses.
Focus group protocol for students
Focus Group Protocols for Families
This protocol provides instructions for a facilitator to lead a focus group discussion for families on how well families think their children’s school is preparing them to graduate and go to college. Included are a sample script, a series of open-ended questions, suggestions for keeping a record of the responses, and a parent handout. The handout is also available as a separate download in English and Spanish.
Families focus group
Parent handout in English
Parent handout in Spanish
Research Study
Beating the Odds: How Thirteen NYC Schools Bring Low-Performing Ninth-Graders to Timely Graduation and College Enrollment
A report on a qualitative study of thirteen NYC high schools that are successfully preparing low-performing ninth-graders for timely high school graduation and enrollment in college.
Annenberg Institute staff identified four key strategies that helped these students beat the odds: academic rigor, networks of timely supports, college expectations and access, and effective use of data. The report concludes with recommendations for maintaining and scaling up the success of these schools through better distribution of resources, greater school control over enrollment, a stronger system of support and accountability, and a district office of postsecondary education. (2007)