A Smaller Learning Community or SLC is any individualized learning unit within a larger school setting. Schedules allow students and teachers to meet together often. Frequently, a small learning community shares a specific location within the school. The rationale behind SLC’s comes from both research and common sense. Students do better socially and academically when they feel safe and valued as members of a community. Research confirms that smaller schools are safer and more productive because students feel less alienated, more nurtured and more connected to caring adults*. It is also clear that SLC’s encourage:
- Higher scholastic achievement
- Reduction of the negative effects of poverty on achievement
- Increased student affiliation with their school and community
- Greater safety and order
- Higher college entrance exam scores, acceptance rates, and GPAs
- Higher levels of extracurricular student participation
- Higher levels of parent and community involvement and greater satisfaction**
* Source: Cotton, K. New Small Learning Communities: Findings from Recent Literature. Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. December 2001
** Sources: Fowler & Walberg, 1991; Gregory, 1992; Stockard & Mayberry, 1992
Smaller Learning Communities Resources
Career Academy School Network – a center out of UC Berkeley focusing on best practices associated with SLC’s.
Resource Guide for Action: Transforming High School for All Youth – great overview on what the 21st century high school needs to look like. Good food for thought and templates/checklists to help us self-assess where we are.
Smaller Learning Communities that Work – a summary of the research!
Converting Large High Schools into SLC’s
CCSSO Smaller Learning Community Resources
National School Reform Faculty Critical Friends Resources – A place to find protocols and other tools to help build collaboration skills amongst faculty.
Instructional Strategies for SLC Students
Advancement Via Individual Determination Web-Site – provides information and an overview of the AVID program. The AVID teaching framework is explained here.
The Buck Institute’s Guide to Project Based Learning – an amazing array of resources, templates and short videos. Useful and broken down into manageable chunks.
