Small Learning Communities: A Way that Middle Schools Help Failing Students

Is your child having academic and social problems in middle school? You may want to consider a middle school that is divided into small learning communities. These schools within a school are commonly called, "clusters" or "houses". The idea was introduced about 30 years ago. Small learning communities began on the high school level and have trickled down to middle schools. This movement has positively affected the success of students in the middle grades.

Small learning communities are mostly autonomous schools that are set up in a larger school. They have a specific focus. For example, one small school may emphasize communication arts. Another may revolve around the medical profession. Another small school may emphasize technology. These small schools are like freestanding schools housed within the overall school. Middle school students choose a school at the beginning of their middle school career. They stay within that school for the duration of their academic stay.

Students continue to receive instruction in the content areas of language arts, math, science and social studies. The difference is that their learning will be theme based around the focus of their learning community. They continue to go to their elective classes. There are several advantages to small learning communities.

Small Learning Communities Advantage: A More Personal Learning Environment

Middle school is a time when students experience extensive emotional, social and physical changes. They are under tremendous pressure and often do not handle it very well. In the midst of this, they are expected to perform academically. You can imagine the resistance and difficulty that many middle school students may exhibit. Positive relationships in their middle school are helpful in getting them through this challenging time.

It is important that middle school students feel that their teachers care and understand them. The environment of the small learning community is ideal to foster these relationships. Students are with the same group of teachers throughout their middle school years. Teachers have a greater opportunity to get to know their students and form relationships with them that may not be afforded in a traditional middle school. Students are also with the same group of peers. This allows them to form meaningful relationships with other students as well. Research has shown that in this atmosphere of understanding and trust, middle school students flourish.

Small Learning Communities Advantage: Higher Rates of Student Achievement

This school climate of mutual trust and understanding between middle school students and their teachers and peers, quite naturally leads to greater student achievement. Students feel valued which also leads to higher academic performance. The extended time over the years, lets teachers better learn the strength and weakness of their students. They can be more strategic in targeting their needs. Since the same team of teachers remains in the small school, they can share insights that will help their students.

Small Learning Communities Advantage: Lower Dropout Rate

What happens academically, socially and emotionally for students in middle school does not stay in middle school. Their experience affects their achievement in high school and beyond. A high number of absences due to behavior problems can prevent them from being properly preparing for the rigors of high school. This can lead to eventually dropping out of school.

The school within a school model for middle school is helping to reduce the student dropout rate. Because students feel as if they are a valued part of the small school learning community, they attend school more regularly. Behavior issues decrease, understanding and learning increases which leads to a decrease dropout rate.

Small Learning Communities Advantage: Closing the Equity Gap

The equity gap refers to the difference in academic achievement of higher economically advantage students (mostly White and Asian) and lower economically disadvantage students (mostly Black and Hispanic). The evidence positively shows that small learning communities are beneficial to closing this gap. This is especially pronounced with economically disadvantaged students. Research has shown that they particularly benefit academically from small learning communities.

The small learning community model is playing a positive role in helping middle school students. If you have decided to enroll your child in a middle school with small learning communities, the research appears to support such a decision. The growing body of evidence touting the benefits ensures that the use of the school within a school model will continue to catch on and to expand.

Sources:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/documents/joint/bef/Mtg11-10_11-08/ProgramArea.pdf
http://educationupdate.com/archives/2004/july/html/spot-nationalmiddle.htm
http://www.mgforum.org/Portals/0/MGFdocs/SmallCommunities.pdf
http://www.nmsa.org/AboutNMSA/PositionStatements/SmallSchools/tabid/293/Default.aspx