ECHS Reource Guide :: Culture & Leadership :: Small Schools, Real Gains

Small Schools, Real Gains
Source: www.smallschoolsproject.org/PDFS/realgains.pdf
Created By: Education Leadership Magazine - Patricia Wasley & Richard J. Lear
Download Complete Resource: SmallSchoolsRealGains.pdf
Summary: (abstract from www.eric.ed.gov) Small school size (fewer than 400 students) makes possible success-enhancing structures and practices: strong, ongoing student/adult and home/school relationships; flat organizational structure; concentration on a few goals; ongoing, site-specific professional development; a respectful culture; and community engagement. Implementation barriers are discussed.
Use: Early colleges are, by definition, small schools and this article highlights the possible advantages of small size. When creating an early college, design teams should consider how school design can either support or hinder the benefits of a small school.