Smaller Learning Communities - Resource Guide

Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) - Descriptions

Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) - Resource Guide

The Smaller Learning Communities Program is a $142 million competitive federal grant program to plan, implement or expand smaller learning communities in large high schools. LBUSD has received two grants over the last several years to implement Smaller Learning Communities.

The shift to smaller learning environments is supported by educational research. The research suggests that:

• Smaller learning environments are a condition for boosting student achievement (Williams, 1990)
• School size has positive effects on student outcomes as evidenced by students' attendance rates, frequency of disciplinary actions, school loyalty, use of alcohol or drugs, satisfaction with school and self-esteem (Raywid (1995) and Klonsky (1995).
• An effective size for secondary schools is in the range of 400-800 students (Williams, 1990).
• Enrollment size has a stronger effect on learning in schools with large concentrations of poor and minority children (Cotton, 1996).
• Research ultimately confirms what parents intuitively believe: that smaller schools are safer and more productive because students feel less alienated, more nurtured and more connected to caring adults, and teachers feel that they have more opportunity to get to know and support their students (Fowler & Walberg, 1991; Gregory, 1992; Stockard & Mayberry, 1992).