President Barack Obama applauded high school redesign efforts in his State of the Union address and encouraged districts to look to successful models for inspiration. Last week, he followed up with a request in his fiscal 2014 budget proposal for a new, $300 million competitive-grant program. Recognition is widespread that high schools need to…

This paper presents 2011 edition of "Diplomas Count" which explores career-related study pathways for students that lie in the space between a high school diploma and a four-year degree-options such as community college, "early college," or high school career training that leads to occupational certification. It looks as well at what high schools…