THINK FORWARD
NEW ENGLAND
REIMAGINING THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
The Think Forward New England project, funded by the Barr Foundation, examines the opportunities and challenges high schools encounter when striving to create or revamp support systems for the well-being of all their students.
Starting in 2020, CRPE began studying both pandemic learning disruptions and promising examples of innovation. Our recent case study report, published in partnership with the Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) illustrated how in some high schools, the pandemic exacerbated an ongoing shift from a narrow vision of student success (like a high school diploma or the “college for all” model) to a more expansive vision of individualized pathways, all of which can lead to a “good life” in adulthood. Achieving such a vision requires both new designs for high schools and rigorous attention to how differentiated postsecondary pathways can promote opportunity for all, rather than perpetuate existing inequalities.
In 2024, we continue to research this region with a laser focus on high school innovation and systems transformation.
Use the quick links below to explore our reports, case studies, and other work. We’ve also included our funding data so users can see how schools are (and are not) investing federal funds for a more equitable academic recovery.
QUICK LINKS
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reports
Our latest reports on high school innovation in New England.
CASE STUDIES
Our teaching cases tell stories of innovation as works in progress. They also include discussion questions about important dilemmas in high school redesign.
2023-24 COLLECTION
Grades as a lever to support student learning: One school’s attempt to rethink traditional grading »
Should daily attendance be a measure of success? Prioritizing community building and student engagement »
Different choices, equal chances: Helping high school students achieve success on their own terms »
From enrollment to completion: Supporting equitable outcomes in challenging coursework »
Is a diploma enough? Setting ambitious visions for success in high schools »
A new normal: Maintaining high expectations and flexibility for high school students »
2021 collection
New England Profiles of Innovation | Great Oaks Charter School Bridgeport
Great Oaks Charter School Bridgeport in Connecticut offers an example of a high dosage tutoring model that has been refined and adapted to meet local needs.
New England Profiles of Innovation | Holyoke High School
Despite pandemic-induced challenges, Holyoke school leaders and staff kept student engagement at the forefront of their efforts to ensure continuity of learning.
New England Profiles of Innovation | Margarita Muñiz Academy
Margarita Muñiz Academy’s development of its “Portrait of a Scholar” project led to a number of changes focused on providing greater opportunities for student voice and participation.
New England Profiles of Innovation | Nokomis Regional High School
This profile of Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, Maine details the school’s practices that have made it successful, how they have adapted in the fact of the pandemic, and how other school communities can begin conversations about creating flexible pathways for students to design components of their own high school experience.
New England Profiles of Innovation | Map Academy
This profile of Map Academy from CRPE and the Christensen Institute details the school’s practices that have proven successful, how they have adapted in the face of the pandemic, and how other school communities can begin to make their systems and structures more responsive to students’ needs and interests.
New England Profiles of Innovation | Common Ground High School
This profile of Common Ground High School in New Haven details the school’s practices that have made it successful, how they have adapted in the face of the pandemic, and how other school communities can begin conversations about wielding student voice and agency to innovate.
commentary
Other publications and blogs related to our work in systems innovation.
FUNDING DATA & ANALYSIS
Our database allows users to track American Rescue Plan spending decisions, and our analyses are designed to help advocates facilitate critical conversations about relief spending.
DATABASE
This database tracks district ARP spending decisions in New England. To learn more about how the database was created, please reference the fact sheet below.
This database was last updated in September 2022.
ANALYSIS
Contributors
We wish to extend special thanks to the Barr Foundation for supporting this project.
