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Principal Steve Jacoby updates the School Board on Status of Small Learning Communities at FHS



Since the first organizational meeting was held with FHS faculty in April 2009, Mr. Jacoby reported that Small Learning Communities are taking shape within Fayetteville High School. He reminded the Board and community about the purposes for creating the SLC’s:

  • SLC’s replace “factory-modeled” post secondary schools.
  • Follow a curriculum that combines meeting college level entrance requirements with an interest focus.
  • Create partnerships with supporting employers, community members, and institutions of higher learning.
  • SLC’s “small up” a large high school.
  • Students in SLC’s are known and have a sense of belonging that sustains mutual trust between the teacher and the student.
  • SLC’s will produce a sense of belonging almost immediately.
Lead teachers have been selected and themes for each SLC are taking form. Mr. Jacoby believes strongly in the potential impact of SLC’s for improving student achievement. “Student ownership increases as they are able to choose an interest or focus area. Becoming smaller is not an end in itself; rather the goal is to develop an environment that encourages teachers to take an innovative approach to the curriculum.” He points to the research regarding successful SLC implementations at other locations:

  • Higher Attendance Rates
  • Higher Graduation Rate
  • Lower Dropout Rate
  • Higher Number of Course Credits Earned
  • Teachers know the students and students know the teachers
  • Students who are considered to be AT RISK significantly benefit from SLC’s
The teacher committee led by Mr. Jacoby has determined that there will be seven SLC’s: Four - SLC’s for students in grades 10 -12 (Each SLC will top out at 450); Two SLC’s for 9th grade students; One - SLC for ALLPS (Alternative Learning Program). Teachers have been assigned and during 2011-2012 school year, there will be professional development and collaborative opportunities among professional learning teams with scheduled implementation for students to begin during the 2012-2013 school year.

Mr. Jacoby also pointed out that research shows the personalization available in the SLC improves both student AND teacher learning since teachers get to know the needs, interests and aspirations of each student and can monitor progress and make themselves more accessible for all students throughout the day. And teacher collaboration helps all acquire a deeper knowledge of the curriculum, assessment, and instructional strategies as they develop interdisciplinary teaching teams and focus on a rigorous and relevant curriculum. A new Student Advisory Program will:

  • Promote healthy student development,
  • Support academic success,
  • Provide multiple opportunities to bridge the divide between healthy development and academic success,
  • Help ensure that all young people have at least one adult who knows them well,
  • Provide an ideal setting to teach and practice important life skills,
  • Establish a forum for academic, college and career coaching, and
  • Provide advising that cuts across the subject areas.
Click here for more information.

http://www.fayar.net/administration/smalllearningcommunities.html

 

 

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