A YEF Institute report published in Nov. 2010, "Expanding Options: City Roles in Creating High School Alternatives for Struggling Students," draws upon lessons learned from the Helping Municipal Leaders Expand Options and Alternatives for High School project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in which five cities increased the choices available to students who struggle in traditional high school settings or are at risk for dropping out.
The project cities included Corpus Christi, Texas; Hartford, Conn.; Phoenix, Ariz.; San Antonio; and San José, Calif. YEF Institute staff and consultants helped each city form a team of municipal, school district, and community-based organization leaders, and supported those teams in creating and fulfilling action plans for expanding high school options and alternatives during the two-year project.
The report shows how city leaders helped spark the redesign or startup of schools through strategies such as engaging parents and the general public, establishing local infrastructures for city-school coordination and collaboration and assembling and targeting new resources.
Expanding Options: City Roles in Creating High School Alternatives for Struggling Students