Explore · I4I

Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR)

2018

The Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) model is a comprehensive, strength-based approach for ninth-grade students that aims to improve achievement by improving a school's effectiveness at building relationships, leveraging real-time student data, and capitalizing on student strengths. BARR divides incoming ninth graders into distinct blocks who share the same teachers for at least three core subjects (English language arts, mathematics, science, and/or social studies). Teachers work together as teams in weekly block meetings to promote student success, building on student assets and addressing academic and nonacademic risks. The model includes eight strategies: focusing on the whole student, providing professional development for teachers/counselors/administrators, using I-Time curriculum for social-emotional learning, creating student cohorts, holding regular teacher team meetings, conducting risk review meetings, engaging families, and engaging administrators. Implementation is supported by a BARR coordinator (50-100% time commitment) and includes in-situation coaching, phone support, quarterly mentoring visits, and semiannual program meetings.

9th Grade

Teach to One: Math

2019

Teach to One: Math (TtO) is a blended learning program that redesigns classroom instruction to match students with specific mathematics content that best supports their academic growth. TtO serves middle school students (grades 6-8) in one large room containing multiple teachers and students from different classes simultaneously. The program uses a "skills map" outlining roughly 300 discrete skills students must master and their dependencies, along with individual learning profiles updated frequently based on student performance. Students receive personalized daily "playlists" that direct them to different learning modalities including independent work, peer-to-peer learning, and teacher-led instruction. The TtO period is split into two approximately thirty-minute sessions with different skill assignments. Students take daily "exit tickets" to determine content mastery, which updates their learner profiles for the next day's assignments. Teachers receive instructional resources but may customize them. The program requires physical reorganization of learning spaces, personal laptop computers for students, and large TV screens to direct student movement.

6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

The Degree Project (TDP)

2021

The Degree Project (TDP) is a merit-based college financial aid program that provides up to $12,000 in grant funding (maximum $6,000 per year) to students in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The program targets first-time ninth graders in 18 randomly selected high schools. To receive funding, students must graduate high school on time with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, maintain 90% attendance, complete the FAFSA, and attend one of 66 eligible colleges in Wisconsin. The grant amount is sufficient to cover all tuition and fees at two-year colleges (free college) and substantially reduces costs at four-year colleges. The program makes an early commitment by announcing the aid offer to students in ninth grade. Students receive regular communications from the program administrator (Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation) including letters and updates on their eligibility status. School counselors are also encouraged to communicate with eligible students about the program. The aid is 'last dollar,' meaning students use other forms of public funding first before accessing TDP funds.

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Expeditionary Learning

2013

Expeditionary Learning (EL) is a comprehensive school reform model that combines an interdisciplinary instructional curriculum with ongoing professional development services for teachers and school leaders. The EL curriculum uses an experiential approach centered on learning expeditions—multidisciplinary, long-term case studies of academic topics—where students conduct research projects to share with outside audiences. The model emphasizes student interaction, critical thinking, collaboration, and building school culture focused on quality work, character, and citizenship. EL provides curriculum resources, professional development institutes during summer and the school year, and on-site classroom observation and coaching for teachers and school leaders. The curriculum is closely aligned with Common Core standards for English-language arts and literacy. Schools implement the model with support from the EL organization, which provides training and coaching to ensure effective implementation of the five core dimensions: curriculum with learning expeditions, instructional methods emphasizing interaction and critical thinking, school culture building, frequent student assessment, and leadership support focused on achievement and data use.

6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

Realizing Your College Potential (RYCP) Campaign

2019

The Realizing Your College Potential (RYCP) Campaign is an informational intervention designed to help low- and middle-income students in the top 50% of PSAT/SAT distributions navigate the college application process. The intervention provides students with personalized college starter lists of 12 institutions (6 reach, 4 fit, 2 safety schools), information about admissions and financial aid processes, guidance on evaluating college fit, and checklists for managing applications. Materials are delivered through mailed brochures, emails, or enhanced mailers with additional services like text reminders or phone-based advising. Some students receive free SAT score sends and college application fee waivers to reduce financial barriers. The intervention begins in 11th grade and continues through 12th grade, with 2-3 mailings or bi-weekly emails directing students to the College Board's BigFuture website for additional resources.

11th Grade 12th Grade

Youth CareerConnect (YCC)

2019

Youth CareerConnect (YCC) is a high school-based program that blends academic and career-focused learning to prepare students for both college and careers in high-growth industries. The program targets high school students (grades 9-12) and integrates public school systems with employers, institutions of higher education, the workforce development system, and community partners. YCC includes three core components: (1) preparing students for both college and career through integrated academic and career-focused curriculum, work-readiness training, and postsecondary supports; (2) connecting students to career-track employment through school-based activities (guest speakers, mentoring) and work-based activities (field trips, job shadowing, internships); and (3) offering academic and nonacademic supports through small learning communities and individualized career and academic counseling with individual development plans (IDPs). The program was implemented over four years (2014-2018) across 130 high schools in 18 states and Puerto Rico, serving 31,019 students. Implementation involved partnerships with employers, higher education institutions, and workforce agencies, with services evolving over time as programs matured.

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

SunBay Digital Mathematics

2018

SunBay Digital Mathematics (SunBay Math) is a middle-school math intervention that integrates conceptually rich curriculum materials with technology-based dynamic representations of math concepts. The program consists of classroom-based replacement units that supplant regular math instruction over a two-week period whenever the unit content occurs in a district's pacing guide, with the goal of improving students' engagement with and understanding of core math concepts. Each unit is composed of seven to 10 investigations designed to be completed in one class period, oriented around a Predict-Check-Explain (PCE) cycle where students make predictions about mathematical situations, check their predictions with technology, and provide conceptual explanations using multiple representations. The intervention targets middle-school students in Grades 6-8 (regular and advanced classes) and focuses on core concepts including ratios and proportional relationships (Grades 6 and 7), expressions and equations (Grades 6 and 7), and functions and geometry (Grade 8). Teachers receive 1.5 days of summer professional development prior to implementing the first unit, plus an additional half-day of training prior to implementing any new unit for the first time, along with ongoing support and coaching throughout the school year. Implementation requires laptops or tablets with internet access, student workbooks, and teacher guides.

6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

Scholastic READ 180

2005

Scholastic READ 180 is a reading intervention program implemented in Community School District 23 (New York City) for students in grades 4-8 who are performing below grade level in reading and language arts. The program targets students who scored in Proficiency Levels 1 and 2 on prior year ELA exams, with the goal of improving their literacy skills to help them reach grade-level proficiency. During the 2001-02 school year, 652 students participated, with the majority in fourth and fifth grades (31% and 29% respectively). The intervention was delivered in regular school settings alongside students' typical instruction.

4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

North Carolina Transformation Initiative

2019

North Carolina Transformation (NCT) is a state-level school turnaround initiative that provides coaching and support services directly from the state Department of Public Instruction to low-performing schools. The intervention begins with a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) conducted by state staff through classroom observations, interviews, and focus groups over two days. Following the CNA, schools participate in an "unpacking" session where facilitators review findings with school staff, conduct root-cause analysis, and engage in planning activities. Schools then develop School Improvement Plans based on CNA findings. The core intervention consists of tailored coaching services: school transformation coaches work directly with principals, instructional coaches work with teachers, and district-level coaches serve central office staff in low-performing districts. The intervention was implemented in 75 low-performing schools over two academic years (2015-16 and 2016-17), primarily in rural areas outside the state's 10 largest districts. Unlike prior federal turnaround models, NCT does not require disruption of the status quo (such as replacing principals or staff) and operates without additional federal funding, instead reallocating existing state resources.

Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum (ERWC) 3.0

2022

The Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum (ERWC) 3.0 is a college-preparatory English language arts curriculum developed by the California State University for grades 11 and 12. It aims to improve students' readiness for college-level English and future careers through in-depth study of expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing. The curriculum is inquiry-based and focuses on rhetorical analysis of compelling issues and texts. Students learn to analyze rhetorical situations including audience, purpose, occasion, and genre. The ERWC 3.0 includes 67 modules (full-length, mini, and portfolio modules) from which teachers can design yearlong courses. Teachers are expected to teach five full-length modules, three mini-modules, and two portfolio modules per year. The curriculum follows an 'arc' structure progressing from Reading Rhetorically through Preparing to Respond to Writing Rhetorically. Professional learning includes annual Summer Institutes (2-5 days), five coaching cycles throughout the school year, and five community of practice meetings. The curriculum incorporates Universal Design for Learning, integrated and designated English Language Development, and emphasizes metacognition and transfer of learning.

11th Grade 12th Grade