The academic achievement of students in business and marketing programs at High Schools That Work (HSTW) sites in 1996 was compared to performance levels in 1994. Between 1994 and 1996, the average reading scores of business students at HSTW sites increased from 271 to 279, and their average mathematics scores increased from 286 to 290. A higher percentage of students in business programs met the HSTW performance goals in reading and mathematics than did all students participating in the 1996 assessment. HSTW business students continued to outpace their national counterparts in reading, mathematics, and science. Male business students improved substantially in reading and mathematics in 1996. The bad news is that one-half of those students could not construct written and oral responses and that science scores for business students did not improve. The following were among the recommendations presented: (1) set high expectations and get students to meet them; (2) offer intellectually challenging occupational studies; (3) increase access to academic courses teaching the essential content from the college preparatory curriculum; (4) provide a structure of work-based and school based learning for students; (5) enable academic and vocational teachers to plan together; (6) involve students and parents in planning programs of study; (7) provide extra help; and (8) use student assessment to advance learning. (MN)