Exploring Small Learning Communities

A small learning community is defined as an environment in which

a core group of teachers and other adults within the school know the needs, interests,

and aspirations of each student well, closely monitors each student's progress, and provides

the academic and other support each student needs to succeed (U.S. Department of Education, 2007).

Small Learning Communities: Tutorials

Small Learning Communities Tutorials, The U.S. Department of Education

Personalization for Small Learning Communities

Small Learning Community Continuum

Creating College Going Cultures

Creating a College Going Culture

Issue Papers: The Research Behind Small Learning Communities

SLC Issue Papers

Current News About High School Reform

America’s Promise Alliance

Grad Nation: A Guidebook to Help Communities Tackle the Dropout Crisis

Secondary Reform: Small Learning Communities

High Schools Transformation: What Really Works?

This report identifies insight into how schools succeed when using

the key practices of High Schools That Work

1. Small Learning Communities: Implementing and Deepening Practice

This booklet by Diana Oxley, from North West Regional Laboratory,

articulates the five domains of small learning communities

and the best practices that support each domain.

In addition, the booklet includes a self assessment for each of the five domains.



2. Small Learning Communities: Implementing and Deepening Practice, Self Assessment


3. New Small Learning Communities: Findings From Recent Literature

Published in 2001, this document by Kathleen Cotton provides a synthesis of the research on SLCs

up until that time. Even though this document is a few years old, the reader gains insights

into the impact of well implemented SLCs. In addition, readers can explore some of the

key elements of success, the barriers and pitfalls schools may face as they implement SLCs,

and some of the issues that emerge with SLC implementation.



4. Small Learning Communities: Lessons from the Field, UC Berkeley

This resource from U.C. Berkeley, provides insights

into implementing small learning communities

and career academies by sharing lessons from the field.



5. Small Learning Communities: Lessons from the Field, UC Berkeley PDF


6. SLC Schools and Districts Receiving Federal Small Learning Communities Grants


7. Directory of Career Academies


8. Smaller Learning Communities Program, The U.S. Department of Education


9. 9th Grader’s Transition to High School

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