The U.S. Department of Education has renewed the Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) grant competition. According to the June 23 notice in the Federal Register, applications are due August 6, 2010. Significant differences from past competitions include:

• An emphasis on providing teachers with common planning time (an absolute priority)
• An explicit requirement that schools create teams of teachers, with each team assigned to a specific group of students, in order to provide the best support
• Additional points awarded to applicants that include at least one of their state’s lowest performing schools (a competitive priority)
• Independent evaluations are no longer required
• Performance indicators are specified as reading and math proficiency, graduation rate, and postsecondary data
• Applications are limited to five schools
• Award amounts are higher per school—up to $2,500,000 over a 60 month period

Priorities

The absolute priorities listed in the grant notice focus on preparing all students to succeed in postsecondary education and careers and common planning time for teachers:

1. SLCs: Create an environment in which a core group of teachers know each student well, monitor progress, and provide support
2. Rigor and relevance: Equip all students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed
3. Acceleration: Assist students who enter high school with skills that are significantly below grade level to attain proficiency by the end of 10th grade
4. Collaboration time: Provide teachers with common time within the school day
5. Effective collaboration: Use common planning time to focus on instructional improvement
6. Postsecondary credit: Increase participation in dual credit, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate programs
7. Postsecondary enrollment: Increase enrollment through comprehensive guidance and academic advising

Using SLC Best Practices To Achieve Priorities

The mantra of Education Northwest’s Recreating Secondary Schools program has long been, “From Structure to Instruction.” Reorganization does not improve student achievement if it doesn’t impact what is happening in the classroom. Our recent brief, “Lessons Learned from High School SLC and Small School Reform Efforts,” outlines successful strategies for using small size as a fulcrum for instructional improvement.

Learn More

On July 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (1 p.m. EST), Education Northwest will host an interactive webinar sharing research and practitioner experience about the most effective approaches to achieving the federal SLC priorities. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions about their strategies for creating rigorous, engaging schools that prepare all students for college and careers. Participation is limited to the first 20 registrants. An archived version of the presentation will be available for those not able to participate.