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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
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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.