National Middle-Grades Forum Calls For Creation Of Small Learning Communities

Posted by on July 9, 2004

[posted from Public Education Network newsblast]

Federal, state, and local policymakers need to provide resources and support to create small schools at the middle-grades level, according to a policy statement issued by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. The statement goes on to say that in those cases where small schools are not feasible, district and school leaders should break down large middle-grades schools into smaller schools or small learning communities where teams of teachers share small groups of students (sometimes called “clusters” or “houses”). Though not sufficient in itself, “smallness” creates a personalized learning environment that enhances teaching and learning at the middle level. The Forum, which represents 65 organizations and foundations, has outlined its priorities for lasting positive change for young adolescents: (1) a separate designation for middle-grades schooling as a distinct phase of education; (2) a focus on adolescent literacy with support for advancing reading, writing, and thinking in all the content areas; (3) qualified teachers in every middle-grades classroom who not only know their subjects but also how to teach those subjects to young adolescents; (4) smaller learning communities that help personalize instruction so students have the support they need; and (5) additional resources for middle-grades schools and students, including more targeted research and dissemination of successful practices.

http://www.mgforum.org/Policy/small%20communities/page%201.htm