2005, referring to Dennis Littky's The Big Picture, page 116 Students in smaller schools are more motivated, have higher attendance rates, feel safer, and graduate and attend college in higher numbers. The smaller size gives teachers and staff the chance to create an environment where students achieve at a higher level and rarely fall through the cracks. Number of adults who know them, look out for them, and pushĪlmost always easier to promote in smaller schools. The third R is Relationships– making sure kids have a The second R is Relevance – making sure kids have courses and projects thatĬlearly relate to their lives and their goals The new three R’s, the basic building blocks of better schools: The first R is Rigor – making sure all students are given a challenging curriculum that prepares them for college or work I love this architect's office, I'm going to design this.' So until you get the passion, it's too much like school. Public Radio, ' Once they find their passion and interest and start to work in the internship, the rest takes over. Schools: small and responsive with more parental involvement.ĭennis Littky said in an interview with National So public schools in 2040 will look like charter

Similar initiatives are underway in nearly every large urban district.” New Jersey is encouraging all middle and high schools in the state's 30 poorest districts to reorganize into 'small learning communities' by 2008. Los Angeles is converting 130 middle and high school campuses to smaller units. “New York City is phasing out large high schools and planning for 200 new small schools over the next five years.Ĭhicago is planning 100.

Students in smaller schools are more motivated, have higher attendance rates, feel safer , and graduate and attend college in higher numbers. No, a school won’t achieve the measure of success if one principal remains in charge of 1,500 students. Yes, a school can achieve success using the Littky Managers” (who won’t hire people with nontraditional educationalīackground, “thus depriving schools of new talent and new Who resist change (pages 36-37) including “Power mongers” (the department heads who don’t want to share decision-making) and “Myopic Littky gives a list of the following types of people You can read a book or you can read some hot quotes

Thought Dial by Sydney Omarr