WATERLOO - Smaller learning communities aren't the only aspect of education reform occurring at East and West high schools.

The schools have partnered with Hawkeye Community College to help students explore career possibilities. Waterloo Community Schools has also been involved in a statewide project that provides support to improve lesson planning and teaching, with a focus on critical thinking.

"We've increased the learning opportunities for kids in the district, and I think that's going to translate into a higher graduate rate, a lower dropout rate," said Superintendent Dewitt Jones. The district's dropout rate went from 4.7 percent in 2003-04 to 4.28 percent in 2006-07. Similarly, the graduation rate has increased from 73.1 percent in spring 2004 to 75.9 percent in spring 2007.

In 2006, East and West were among the first 20 schools invited to join the Iowa High Schools Project, a state partnership with the New York-based International Center for Leadership in Education. The project provides support to improve class offerings, teaching methods and standards. It connects teachers to the Successful Practices Network, allowing them to communicate with peers nationwide about classroom strategies and techniques.

West High School Principal Gail Moon called it "real advantageous" for the district to be part of the Iowa High Schools Project.

"It's given us resources that we wouldn't have as a district if we hadn't been picked as a participant, both East and West."

In the fall of 2006, the district began partnering with Hawkeye Community College to offer career pathways. Students start with exploratory classes in certain career fields and eventually advance to college classes.

Some of the pathways include information technology, health and engineering careers.

"Generally speaking, you are looking at the 11th and 12th grade students in the classes that are dual-credit for college and high school," said Russ Clark, the district's career and technical education coordinator. Classes are taught either by Hawkeye instructors or properly certified high school teachers.

"Right now we have course requests for 1,184 sections," Clark said this spring, up from more than 800 last year. Not every student ends up enrolling, although more than 700 courses were taken in the past year.

Mary Meier, the district's coordinator of supplemental programs, said some freshmen have taken a nine-week course that includes creating a 10-year life plan - taking them to six years after high school. She noted the course may be extended to a semester and required for all students.

She said planning beyond high school and providing opportunities for dual-credit classes increases both the relevance and rigor of school, an emphasis in the district.

"I think we're in the process of changing how high school looks," said Meier. "There's much more of an emphasis on trying to help (students) establish their goals after high school."

Contact Andrew Wind at (319) 291-1507 or andrew.wind@wcfcourier.com.