« Home: Key questions for SLC implementation
How we create equitable SLCs to meet the needs of all students?
Inclusive Programs and Practices ensure that students choose to enter a particular SLC on the basis of their curricular interests and irrespective of their history of achievement. SLC teams include educational specialists, collaborate with parents, use time and resources flexibly, and tailor instruction to meet all students' learning needs.
Continuous Improvement Tools
- Small Learning Communities Self-Assessment Tool (PDF 4.39M)
Forms
Equity
Creating Equity from the Ground Up Nathan, L. (2003) Horace. Vol. 19, No. 3.
The Diversity Kit: An Introductory Resource for Social Change in Education (PDF 2.47M) The Education Alliance (2002). Focuses on human development, culture, and language.
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Resources Stanford School Redesign Network
Links to readings that address the question: How does valuing and responding to students' cultural background support their academic achievement?
Teacher and Student Assignment to SLCs
Westerville Schools High School Redesign Project
Creating the High Schools We Need (PDF 3.44M), West Clermont Local School District, OH (2002)
Flexible use of time
"Un-Stacking The Deck": Meeting Student Needs Through Flexible Block Scheduling (PDF 136K) Neubig, M. (2005). Westerville High School, Westerville, OH
Differentiated Instruction
Preparing teachers for Differentiated Instruction. Educational Leadership, Holloway, J.H., 58(1), (2000). This site is from an education course by Dr. John Durkin. It includes a diagram with suggestions for approaches to differentiated instruction, a listing of what differentiated instruction is and is not, rules of thumb on how to instruct, and management strategies.
Handouts from the 2005 SLC Leadership Institute. Laura Gschwend, Professional Development Coordinator, New Teacher Center, University of California at Santa Cruz:
- Differentiation Matrix for Teachers (PDF 28K)
- Differentiantion Matrix (PDF 20K)
- Tiered Grouping Options (PDF 12K)
Teaming with Special Education & English as a Second Language Teachers & Counselors
English as a Second Language
Claiming Opportunities: A Handbook for Improving Education for English Language Learners Through Comprehensive School Reform (PDF 1.52M) The Education Alliance (2003).
Creating A Community of Learners: Solving the Puzzle of Classroom Management Sowers, J. (2004) Portland, OR, NWREL. This book is a developmentally based approach that considers students emotionally, socially, cognitively, and culturally — viewing them as whole people with responsibilities and rights as members of classroom communities.
The Help! Kit: A resource guide for secondary teachers of migrant English Language Learners (PDF 628K) Escort State University of New York at Oneonta (2001). This secondary version of the Help! Kit is a comprehensive resource guide that provides helpful information to busy teachers who are seeking practical, research-based advice on how they can more effectively teach, evaluate, and nurture their limited English proficient (LEP) migrant students.
Strategies and Resources for Mainstream Teachers of English Language Learners. (2003) NWREL. This booklet gives practitioners a glimpse of how fellow educators from around the Northwest are addressing ELL issues, overcoming obstacles, and attaining success. The information has been compiled from existing research in the field of second language acquisition and education of English language learners, including works by acknowledged experts in ELL.
Special Education
Working with Students with Diverse Needs (PDF 468K) Benton, K. & Simashkovich, M. (2005)
Counselors
Challenging the Myths: Rethinking the Role of School Counselors (PDF 296K) Education Trust and MetLife Foundation (2003)
National Center for Transforming School Counseling at the Education Trust
Advisories
Changing Systems to Personalize Learning: The Power of Advisories Debbie Osofsky, Gregg Sinner, Denise Wolk (2003)
The Power of Advisories workshop guidebook helps high school change teams conduct professional development workshops for school staff on setting up a schoolwide advisory program, developing ways to introduce an adult advocate into the life of every student, and ensuring that each student has an advisor to help guide student planning, learning, and assessment. The Power of Advisories contains topical discussion materials, instructions, graphic organizers, exercises, protocols, and facilitator's guidelines.
Discover the Power of Advisories: Personalizing Your Smaller Learning Community (PDF 392K) Debbie Osofsky, Gregg Sinner, Ph.D., Robert D. Myrick, Ph.D., Theodore Sizer, Ph.D., Nancy Faust Sizer
Presented at Cohort I SLC Topical Institute, this binder describes five key elements to consider when designing an advisory program and provides tools for school teams to use. Protocols and activities to use with students are also included.
Parent Collaboration
Partnering with Families and Communities Educational Leadership Epstein, J.L., & Salinas, K.C. (May 2004) Archived publication. The National Network of Partnership Schools shares promising ways to reach out to families and communities.
National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs National PTA
This site is for administrators and teachers who want to transform parent and family involvement in their schools. Challenges, opportunities, standards, and steps for initiating and maintaining momentum toward change are provided.
