Interim Executive Director's Message

To our education partners and friends,

The start of a new year always offers a unique window for reflecting on milestones that have been reached, and preparing for new opportunities ahead.

Almost seven years ago, in 2003, E3 agreed to lead what has become the largest high school reform demonstration project in the state’s history. We all can feel encouraged by the results, now evident, of the Oregon Small Schools Initiative. The Initiative, which involved 42 small high schools across the state, is yielding impressive gains in achievement test results and graduation rates. Gains are especially dramatic among students of low income.

Hence, the Initiative is demonstrating how the achievement gap actually can be closed. You can review a related story in this newsletter, and read the report on promising practices titled Small Schools, Big Impact. We congratulate all the education leaders at partnership schools, districts and school boards, and extend appreciation to our funders, Meyer Memorial Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

This past year E3 and the Oregon Business Council (OBC) hosted several education briefings to examine current issues and highlight constructive efforts underway by E3 and other education partners such as Chalkboard and the Business Education Compact. The briefings provided an opportunity for us to listen to concerns from business and community leaders. The two-way dialog was invaluable, so as we head into the new year we are planning additional briefings for 2010.

Meanwhile, at the core of our work, E3 and OBC remain focused on initiatives that weave together policy and practice, and that leverage our combined expertise and experience. We will continue sharing more in 2010 about the Oregon Small Schools Initiative, along with our other initiatives, including proficiency based education, performance based budgeting and Career Readiness Certification.

We look forward to engaging with our many friends and supporters across the state in 2010 to advance Oregon's goal of educating every student, and send our very best wishes for the holidays and the new year.

Regards,

Duncan Wyse
Interim Executive Director, E3: Employers for Education Excellence
President, Oregon Business Council

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Results are in for the Oregon Small Schools Initiative

The Oregon Small Schools Initiative, launched in 2003, is the largest high school reform demonstration project in Oregon’s history. Through the Initiative, E3 and the small high schools have touched more than 25,000 students with personalized learning and a high degree of classroom rigor. We consistently measure and monitor activity and results at our partnership schools, and are very encouraged by trends emerging from the most recent data released by the Oregon Department of Education.

The composite graduation rate for Initiative schools gained nearly 9 percentage points in three years to surpass the Oregon state average. Sophomore achievement scores also are compelling. For example, math scores jumped 16 percentage points in three years among low income students, who represent more than half of enrollment at Initiative schools.

In the coming months E3 will tour the state to help showcase the innovative practices of our partnership schools in their respective communities. The first event of the series was held in Portland last month to begin sharing results from data analysis on the schools’ performance, and to hear from educators and students about how small schools have changed the experience of teaching and learning.

Read our report on outcomes, Small Schools, Big Impact, here. The 2010 statewide schedule of small school showcases will be posted on E3's web site as dates are confirmed.