How would you describe a successful high school? Is it one that has very strong college placement numbers? Does it have a very high attendance rate? How about dropout rates? Discipline referrals? Number of students failing classes? The Greater Nebraska Schools Association (GNSA) is working to define what high school success looks like. They then will collect information individually to find out how each of the high schools is doing on these success indicators.

Each school will utilize the information they gain from analyzing the common indicators to set improvement goals and to learn from other schools that are doing better in those areas. This common data collection will help all GNSA high schools get a clear picture of how they are doing compared to others. It will also help them see much more clearly what their strengths and weaknesses are.

This work is an important first step in bringing about deliberate improvement in all the GNSA high schools. Columbus High School’s partnership with the rest of the GNSA high schools will help them continue to improve in meeting the needs of all their learners. CHS can also use these criteria to determine whether or not the modified block schedule, which will be initiated in the 2007-2008 school year is making a difference for students. Future Discoveries issues will keep you updated on the progress of this initiative.

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