Small Learning Communities
Welcome! Are you developing new Small Learning Communities (SLCs) or restructuring your secondary school? NWREL's Recreating Secondary Schools (RSS) program provides resources, services, and tips.
Grants are available through the US Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education has announced new funding competition for SLCs. The notice inviting applications for new awards was announced on November 26, 2007 in the Federal Register at this URL:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-22957.htm.
Our framework is outlined in Small Learning Communities: Implementing and Deepening Practice (PDF 1.4M)
- Self-Assessment (PDF 4.3M)
Key questions for SLC implementation
Getting started: How can we best plan and prepare for SLC implementation?
- taking stock
- action plan
- teacher buy-in
How can we develop effective interdisciplinary teams?
- teaming
- SLC size
- multiple years with students
- teacher course load
- common planning time
- collaboration
- dedicated space
How can we make curriculum and instruction more authentic, coherent, and challenging?
- organizing SLCs around student interest
- mapping curriculum
- instructional blocks
- community partners
- active, authentic inquiry
How can we create equitable SLCs to meet the needs of all students?
- equity
- teacher and student assignment
- flexible use of time
- differentiated instruction
- teaming with special education, ESL teachers & counselors
- advisories
- parent collaboration
How do our interdisciplinary teams pursue continuous improvement?
- analyzing data
- stakeholder input
- aligning professional development
How do our building and district-level policies and practices support SLCs?
- goals & policies alignment
- resource reallocation: staffing & schedules
- detracking
- governance
- union contracts
