Author: California. State Department of Education

Publisher:

Published: 1987

Total Pages: 70

ISBN-13:

This report summarizes the major findings of a study of 26 California high schools. The study, Paths through High School, was conducted to describe the characteristics of high school curricula in California, how they are determined and how they differ for various groups of students. Chapter 1 describes the state, district, and school levels of curricular policy and decision making in California's educational system. This chapter also describes the decisions that are made at each level and compares statewide characteristics of the schools with those of the schools in the study. In chapter 2, the major state-level policies of graduation and proficiency requirements are addressed. These have clear effects on particular cohorts of students, but do not standardize programs of study. Students therefore can pursue very different paths through high school, as demonstrated by the courses of study of three students in one of the studied schools. The academic, nonacademic, and elective course requirements of the schools studied are compared. Chapter 3 describes each schools' curricular structure whereby students are placed in various instructional cohorts. Each cohort receives a different curriculum, determined by the department-level tracking system. Sample curricular maps from the schools are analyzed. Chapter 4 outlines the processes used to place and monitor students. In chapter 5, the effects of the policies and practices found are compared in terms of the academic programs available to cohorts of students. The data collection plan for the study and sample student academic programs are provided in the appendices. (JD)