Small School Learning Communities (SSLCs) Local District B April 2004
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Small School Learning Communities (SSLCs) Local District B April 2004 Current Situation Our secondary schools are too large and impersonal Too many students feel disconnected and are either failing or dropping out LAUSD Goals
Small School Learning Communities (SSLCs) Local District B April 2004
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Small School Learning Communities(SSLCs)Local District BApril 2004
Current Situation • Our secondary schools are too large and impersonal • Too many students feel disconnected and are either failing or dropping out
LAUSD Goals • Within the next few years, all of LAUSD’s secondary schools will be reorganized into small school learning communities (SSLCs) • Every Local District will have a five year plan for implementing small school learning communities.
SSLC Characteristics • Unifying Vision/Identity • Rigorous Standards-based instruction • Equity and Access • Personalization • Accountability & Distributed Leadership • Collaboration/Community Engagement • Professional Development
Why Implement SSLCs? • Decrease the drop out rate • Improve the quality of teaching and learning • Improve academic achievement of all secondary students • Increase the number of students who attend and successfully complete post secondary studies
Benefits of Being in a SSLC • Enjoy the personalized relationships with teachers • Students can share common interests and goals • Sense of community among the students & teachers • New students can fit in and aren’t overwhelmed by large schools • Students are recognized by name from the first day • Students are made to understand the relevance between the subjects • Six academy students were interviewed on 3/31/04. Two of the students are in the Multi-media Academy and the other four are in the Teacher’s Academy at Sylmar HS.
What’s the Best Thing about Academy Life? • “I have the opportunity to work with younger kids and tutor them.” • “Academy life pushes you towards a future.” • “ I understand that, by tutoring younger kids, I can make a difference.” • “I have learned to appreciate the different aspects of the art world.” • “I have learned that children watch and learn. We all have influence on them and I have not only tutored them, but, they are teaching me lessons everyday”. • Six academy students were interviewed on 3/31/04. Two of the students are in the Multi-media Academy and the other four are in the Teacher’s Academy at Sylmar HS.
Current Status • 5 high schools, 5 continuation schools, 8 middle schools • All District B secondary schools have begun implementation • There are plans for expansion in 2004-05 • Grants are available to support planning and implementation of SSLCs • There are multi-year school implementation plans
SHS SLC Sylmar High School Small Learning Communities Sylmar High School “Building on Excellence” Small Learning Communities SLC Overview:Chris Perdigao, SLC Coordinator
Math-Science-Technology Magnet (’94) • Agriculture/Industrial Arts/Auto (’97) • Culinary Arts (’97) • Multilingual Teacher (’97) • Sports/ Health Wellness (‘00-’01) International Studies • Multimedia Arts (‘01-’02) • Business Technology (’02-’03) • Law and Government (’03-’04) • International Studies (’04-’05) Law & Government Building Small Learning Communities Sylmar High School “Building on Excellence”
Building a Working Community Elements of Success Bell Schedule/ SLC Proximity School/ Business/ Community Student-led Conference/ Portfolios Performance-Based Instruction/ Assessment Common Planning Period Academy Leadership Club
SSLC Challenges • Challenging instructional programs • Research of successful SSLCs • Professional Development • Common Planning Time • Identification of Community Partners • Modification of existing physical structures to facilitate implementation of SSLCs
Vision • Through the SSLCs, Local District B students will graduate from high school with the skills and the knowledge needed to be successful life-long learners and productive, responsible citizens.