meeting federal Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) accountability standards for all subgroups in the school for both 2004 and 2005. Next, state level comparative criteria were considered to narrow the selection of schools. Selected schools had to meet three or more of the following criteria for high schools: 2005 Academic Performance Index (API) scores above the state median, 2005 above average proficiency rates for English Language Arts (ELA), 2005 above average proficiency rates for Math, graduation rates above the state average for five most recent years 1999-2004, lower than average four-year drop out rates for 2004, and above average 2004 A-G completion rates (course requirements for University of California admission)