Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Creating and Sustaining
Small Learning Communities
(SLC)
Building a culture focused on
continuous improvement
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Given…
• An absolute commitment to
promoting academic
excellence and the personal
development of all students
and
• A belief that our district must
create learning environments
based on a commitment to
continuous improvement
and
Given…
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• School data and
• Labor market data
• We are determined to take
responsibility now for the
continuous improvement of the
educational outcomes for all
students.
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Our data…
•
•
•
•
xxx freshman
xxx tenth graders*
xxx eleventh graders*
xxx twelfth graders*
• Freshmen…the real story:
–
–
–
–
–
xxx new ninth graders
xxx second-year ninth graders
xxx third-year ninth graders
xxx fourth-year ninth graders
xxx fifth-year ninth graders
*need to disaggregate repeaters for these grades
Our interpretation
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Through dropout and drift out, we are
losing too many of our students.
• X percent of our students are ninth
graders.
• Only x of x of our students make it to
twelfth grade.
• About x of our tenth graders make it to
twelfth grade.
• X percent of our eleventh graders don’t
make it to twelfth grade.
• We do not have significant data on
successful postsecondary experiences.
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
America’s Most Successful High Schools:
Those making the most gains have…
• SLC approaches
• Commitment of administrators and teachers to
excellence for all students
• Laser-like focus on data
• Ninth grade focus
• Twelfth grade focus
• High quality curriculum
• Solid, dedicated leadership
• Relationships driven by
guiding principles
• Sustained and supported
professional development**
**Will Daggett
http://www.daggett.com/PP/9Characteristics.ppt
Our Mission…
Graduates will:
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Be college and career ready, as
demonstrated by…
• Be ready to assume active roles as
citizens and community members,
as demonstrated by…
• Be instilled with a readiness and
ability to learn more, as
demonstrated by…
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
To ensure this for each child,
we commit to:
• Setting high expectations for all
students and staff
• Being data-driven at the district,
school, and classroom levels
• Addressing the academic needs of
all learners
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Integrating college readiness and
career preparation into each
child’s plan for success
• Aligning policies and practices to
support continuous improvement
at each school
• Creating a secondary
improvement system that is
embedded in a process of
continuous improvement, not a
reform or redesign strategy that
will not transcend time
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Providing systemic and
appropriate professional
development for all staff
• Involving parents, community
partners, businesses, and
postsecondary partners in the life
of the schools and in the desired
outcomes for our students
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
To ensure this for each child,
we commit to the following
educational experience:
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
A strong transition experience that
begins during the latter half of eighth
grade and will include:
• Working with teachers and guidance
counselors on identifying student needs
• Mapping of curriculum across grade levels
• Identification of students not yet ready to
fully succeed in ninth grade
• A transition “Summer Bridge” academic,
study, and personal skill development
program
• Orientation to high school program
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
An environment for teaching and
learning that is delivered in small
learning communities
that involve a cohort of an
administrator, guidance
counselors, teachers, and
students who stay together in a
small school environment
Small learning communities that will:
• Comprise a heterogeneous group of students
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Encourage and listen to “student voice”
• Build relevance through career exploration or career
themes reflecting industry and academic standards
• Provide ninth grade students with a freshman experience
course and twelfth grade students with a senior transition
experience
• Develop a six-year educational and career plan for each
student
• Be supported by the literacy coaches, data coaches,
and technology coaches
• Be supported by a guidance program that includes
personal, academic, and career counseling
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Allow students to participate fully in an array of
academic and enrichment experiences,
including athletics and the arts
• Provide students with the opportunity to pursue
all available diploma options, dual/college
enrollment, and CTE certifications and to
participate in community service and workbased learning experiences
• Support students through an advisory/family
advocacy program
• Involve the cohort of teachers in
regular common planning time focused on
instruction and students’ needs
An academic program that will…
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Deliver high-standards curriculum by
highly qualified instructors in a schedule
format that supports the mission
• Provide support for English language
learners and Special Education students;
and provide extra help strategies for
students performing below grade level
and students who are performing below a
“C” in any academic course
• Include accelerated learning
opportunities for Honors, Advanced
Placement, International Baccalaureate,
and dual enrollment in postsecondary
institutions
A school climate that is …
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Safe
• Respectful of all
• Equitable
• Culturally rich in programs and
services that meet the diverse
needs and interests of all
students
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
The short list:
Our “Non-Negotiables” or
“Commitment Framework”
• Equity, equity, equity
• Small, personalized environment
for teaching and learning
• Core groupings
• Effective common planning
• Focus on achievement
• Alignment of policies and practices
• Access to decisions/policy/budget
• Engagement and shared
leadership
The structure that supports student
and school success:
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Small Learning Communities…
…structure and instruction
focused on personalized,
high-achieving teaching
and learning environments
Characteristics of High-Quality
SLC
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Provide a rigorous academic core and
concentration for all students
• Frequently connect high-quality
career/technical programs within a program
of study
• Ensure that all students have a solid academic
foundation by the end of grade ten and meet
higher expectations for postsecondary success
• Provide extra help to support students in
achieving high standards
• Establish a guidance and advisory system that
helps students take the right courses
continued…
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Effectively involve parents and families in
planning a rigorous program of studies for
the student
• Actively engage students in learning
• Provide curriculum and instruction to
challenge students to think at higher levels,
complete high-quality work, and develop
essential literacy skills
• Use data to drive decisions and
continuously improve performance
• Limit the number of students in the smaller
learning community to 300–400
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
SLC continuum…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Administrative structure (principal, lead teacher, guidance)
Teams of students and teachers (400–500, subteams of 150)
Heterogeneous groupings
Semi-autonomous determination regarding use of time
Location/home base
Academic focus or theme
Extra help for students
Data-driven decisions
Shared common planning
Focused professional development
Identity—practices and beliefs
Freshman orientation and support
Student voice
Advisory
Postsecondary preparation
Senior project
Service learning
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
What Success Looks Like—Data
• Narrowed achievement gap
• Increased proficiency on state tests
across the board
• More higher education matriculation
• Better graduation rates
• Improved climate
• Access to high-wage careers
• Shared common purpose drives
teachers, administrators, staff
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Students are engaged and
challenged
• They feel important and cared for
• Teachers are at the top of their
game, comfortable with team
approaches and new pedagogies
• New energy, results, opportunities
• No more success for some
Expected Outcomes
• Improved student attendance
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Improved student achievement
• Decreased dropout rate
• Improved graduation rate
• Families connected through school-level
advocate
• Students prepared for postsecondary
education and careers
Benefits to Educators
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Collaboration with colleagues
• Improved instructional strategies,
including project-based learning
• Engaged students
• Academic rigor and content
relevance connected to student
career interests and needs
Benefits to Communities
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Prepared graduates
• Improved graduation rates
• Better employees
• Responsible citizens
• Improved workforce
Why do they yield RESULTS?
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Engaging curriculum
• Sense of belonging
• Caring adults
• Continuity and connections
• Focus on interests and aptitudes
• Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Build the school you dream…
Build the school you need!
SLC Design Options…
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
One way to “build” it…
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
9-10
High
Expectations
Center
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Five Small Learning Communities
Tenth through twelfth grades
9-10
High
Expectations
Center
314
314
314
314
314
data-driven extra help and support strategies
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Themed by
career
clusters or
individualized
instruction
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Integrated
Options 11-12
Five Small Learning
Communities
Perhaps ala
Tenth through twelfth grades
“The Met,” RI
9-10
High
Expectations
Center
Non-new 9th
grade students
Themed by
career
clusters or
individualized
instruction
314
314
314
314
314
data-driven extra help and support strategies
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Creating College AND Career Ready Graduates
Integrated
Options 11-12
Five Small Learning
Communities
Perhaps ala
Tenth through twelfth grades
“The Met,” RI
9-10
High
Expectations
Center
Non-new 9th
grade students
Themed by
career
clusters or
individualized
instruction
314
314
314
314
314
data-driven extra help and support strategies
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
And yet another…
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Small Learning Communities
Themed by
career
clusters or
individualized
instruction
Ninth through twelfth grades
361
361
361
361
361
361
361
Data-driven extra help and support strategies
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Creating College AND Career Ready
Graduates
Small Learning Communities
Themed by
career
clusters or
individualized
instruction
Ninth through twelfth grades
361
361
361
361
361
361
361
Data-driven extra help and support strategies
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
And yet another…
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Tenth
grade
team of
200
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Tenth
grade
team of
200
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Tenth
grade
team of
200
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Data-driven extra help and support strategies
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Three Small Learning
Communities
Eleventh through twelfth grades
380/SLC
Tenth
grade
team of
200
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Tenth
grade
team of
200
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Themed by career
clusters or
individualized
instruction
Tenth
grade
team of
200
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Data-driven extra help and support strategies
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Creating College AND Career Ready
Graduates
Three Small Learning
Communities
Eleventh through twelfth grades
380/SLC
Tenth
grade
team of
200
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Tenth
grade
team of
200
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Themed by career
clusters or
individualized
instruction
Tenth
grade
team of
200
Ninth
grade
team of
260
Data-driven extra help and support strategies
Summer Bridge to Success
MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders
An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
We know the why
and what…
Now, for the how…
Create school-based,
district-connected, planning teams
now
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Begin with a detailed assessment
• Use the GMS SLC Tool Kit
—SLC Implementation and
“Punch List”
• Build a case for change
• Engage everyone in the
conversation
Are we there yet?
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• No—but we’ll know we are
closer when…
• Climate surveys reflect…
• Multiple forms of assessment are
in place
• Structures and instruction match
the vision
• Students are performing at high
standards, as demonstrated
by…
• Parents and families report
that…
• Community partners…
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
A possible immediate approach…
by the numbers
• Go find the multiyear ninth grade
repeaters and “treat” them
NOW—Why are they here? What
do they need? Move them
forward!
• Identify the repeaters and review
schedules and supports. Make a
plan—now!
What is it going to take?
• District and school leadership
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
• Board support
• School ownership
• Community support
• Teacher engagement
• Parent involvement
• Student participation
• Ongoing pressure and support
Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc.
Creating and Sustaining
Small Learning Communities (SLC)
Building a culture focused on
continuous improvement
And now the work begins!