[CALIBK12] [CSLA Research Update] Smaller Learning Communities study

[Lesley Farmer]

Smaller Learning CommunitiesThe U.S. Department of Education studied
the implementation of its Smaller Learning Communities (SLC)
discretionary grant program. The SLC program was established in
response to growing national concerns about students too often lost and
alienated in large, impersonal high schools, as well as concerns about
school safety and low levels of achievement and graduation for many
students. The most prevalent structures were freshman and career
academies. All but two schools reported undertaking efforts to increase
personalization. SLC-related professional development, although
provided by nearly all schools, was not very extensive. A common set of
factors affecting academy implementation included strong school
leadership, involved and supportive districts, high levels of staff
buy-in, and sufficient space to make programs separate. Inhibiting
factors included staff and administrative turnover, weak school
leadership, prescriptive district oversight of SLC reforms, and limited
resources on the part of the school.United States Department of
Education Office of Planning, Evaluation, and PolicyDevelopment.
(2008). Implementation Study of Smaller Learning Communities: Final
Report. Washington, DC:
Author.http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/other/small-communities

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Posted By Lesley Farmer to CSLA Research Update at 6/20/2008 11:52:00 AM
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