Creating and Sustaining Small Learning Communities: Strategies and Tools for Transforming High Schools

"Creating and sustaining small learning communities is not for the faint of heart. Without this invaluable resource and the talents and expertise of the writer, we likely would have done neither." —Cynthia Conwell, School Improvement Facilitator Houston Independent School District, TX "Strikes the right balance between theory and practice. This extensive text and impressive electronic tool kit reflects a national perspective on school reform gleaned from the author's many years of partnering with school systems for success for all students and teachers." —Gary Norris, Superintendent Sarasota County Public Schools, FL "Builds capacity in applying research to practice, providing strategies to improve teaching and learning that maximize student achievement, and using tools and techniques that enable staff to implement, share, and sustain new learning." —Kent Mathers, Assistant Superintendent Yukon Public Schools, OK Transform your high school into a high-performing environment for teaching and learning! This research-based, fully revised edition of Creating and Sustaining Small Learning Communities demonstrates how to empower school teams and foster the professional practices that create a true climate for success. Author Grace Sammon offers school leaders a step-by-step approach for redesigning high schools into small learning communities (SLC) that cultivate sound instructional methods and personalized learning environments for students. Presenting a hands-on process that addresses data, personalization, partnerships, curriculum, and instruction, this book moves educational leaders and school reformers from an appreciation of SLC to the nuts and bolts of collaborating and doing the work of improving school culture and academic achievement. With a focus on getting results, the text offers: A CD-ROM tool kit with over 30 planning templates and data collection and assessment tools for developing, sustaining, and evaluating a successful school transformation to SLC Frequently asked questions about how SLC benefit students and schools Procedures to create school-based teams to jump-start and sustain data-driven discussions and decision making This resource and collection of tools is ideal for school leaders who are serious about continuous improvement to ensure success for all students.

Table of Contents:
List of Artwork List of Tool Kit Files Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. The Journey Begins Background The Mandate for School Reform Benefits of SLC Who Makes It Happen? The Practitioner′s Role Key Elements of Effective Redesign Efforts Looking at Design Options At a Glance: Summing It Up and Next Steps 2. Formation, Study, and Awareness: The Sum of the Parts Understanding the Process of Change What Do We Want a Graduate to Look Like? What Does the Ideal Teacher Look Like? Are We Producing That Now? The Data Discussion Begins What "Real" Might Look Like Building a "Commitment Framework": Agreements Needed for Success Building Your Local Definition: Establishing Structures At a Glance: Summing It Up and Next Steps 3. Leading an Improvement Process: Changes in Practice Are Inevitable Creating a Theory of Change Where to Begin With Building Capacity Establish Relationships At a Glance: Summing It Up and Next Steps 4. The Plan?s the Thing: Establishing Structures Initiative Alignment and Partnership Audit Creating Working Teams The Punch List: 100+ Things for Teams to Think About and Work Through How Much Will SLC Implementation Cost? Reality Check: Strengths and Deficit Mapping The Planning Stage The Ninth Grade Experience How Fast Do We Have to Go? At a Glance: Summing It Up and Next Steps 5. Establishing SLC Teams: Developing the Mission, Culture, and Schedule Creating Teams Creating Specific SLC Teams Building the Team The Team Sets the Agenda Mission Commitment to Students and Families Scheduling School Practices At a Glance: Summing It Up and Next Steps 6. Curriculum for College and Careers Curriculum Defined Understanding and Addressing Academic and Industry Skills Standards From Goals 2000 to SCANS: What Work Requires of Schools Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Identifying and Honing the SLC Curriculum: Pathways, Courses, and Integration ′Quick Wins" Curriculum Tools At a Glance: Summing It Up and Next Steps 7. Professional Practice Moving Into Data-Driven Discussions A Culture of Literacy Data, Data Everywhere Use of Time Professional Development Will This Impact Student Achievement? Pulling the Pieces Together At a Glance: Summing It Up and Next Steps 8. Powerful Partnerships Partnership Defined Partnership Possibilities Business Basics Key Ingredients in Creating and Sustaining Partnerships Structures and Strategies Work-Based Learning The "Why" of Employability Skills The "When" of Employability Skills Developing Work-Based Experiences At a Glance: Summing It Up and Next Steps 9. The Student Experience: Making It Personal School-Based Structures Personalizing the Learning Experience Service Learning/Community Service The Senior Experience Student Voice More About Work-Based Learning: Brief, Perform, and Debrief Everything A Word About Placements Job Shadowing Mentorships At a Glance: Summing It Up and Next Steps 10. Sustaining: The Experts Are Among Us Revisiting the Practitioner?s Role What Will It Take to Succeed? What Do Success and Sustainability Look Like? Taking Stock: Study Process and the Peer Review Study Tools to Get You Started At a Glance: Summing It Up and Next Steps The Journey Continues Resources References Index