Problem solving is a necessary component of developing a strong mathematics curriculum that will help all students achieve their life goals, regardless of their specific academic plans. What day-to-day instructional decisions do teachers need to make if they believe that problem solving is a vehicle for learning mathematical content? In this…

The transition into high school is a critical point in the educational pipeline, and ninth-grade can be characterized as one of its leakiest junctures. This policy brief examines how some states and districts are currently easing the transition into high school for students. It focuses on five key challenges that states, districts and schools…

A longitudinal study compared Indiana ninth graders (n=178) with and without postsecondary education plans. Results indicate decided and undecided students can be differentiated by the amount of time spent thinking about postsecondary options, amount of information received regarding those options, academic achievement, and student and parent…

The transition from middle school to high school represents a significant event in the lives of adolescents, one that necessitates support from and collaboration among teachers, parents, counselors, and administrators at both educational levels. Successful transitions place particular emphasis on ninth-grade initiatives and can create one of…

This exploratory study sought to compare the characteristics, attitudes and postsecondary knowledge of two groups of Indiana ninth grade students, those who plan to continue their education after high school and those who indicate that they are undecided about their post secondary plans. The study used data from a longitudinal study of college…

Indiana's ninth-grade students must write a plan for their high school education that will lead them to a career. To help them in this effort, and throughout their high school years, the Indiana Career and Postsecondary Advancement Center provides students with newsletters, planners, and college financial aid information. This booklet is part of…

Designed to help ninth graders write a plan for their high school education which will lead them to a career, the goal of this booklet is to help students (as well as their families and guidance counselors) to: (1) think about their interests and abilities; (2) discover enjoyable careers; (3) use activities to explore careers; (4) plan high school…

Personalized learning: Everyone knows it needs to happen, but how? It is one thing to believe in the importance of high school reform. It is quite another to embrace a system that helps every student leave high school with a diploma and plans for postsecondary education or training that lead to productive and self-sufficient adulthoods. This…