Seminar Activities

"Ok," you might ask, "What’s the bottom line? Do students learn more in democratic school communities than in conventional schools?"

There is considerable evidence that indicates that student success in schools that function as democratic school professional learning communities is substantially higher than in traditional schools. After studying over 1,500 schools, researchers found that students learn more when schools function as professional communities (Kruse, Louis, & Bryk, 1995; Newmann & Wehlage, 1995; Newmann & Associates, 1996 ).  Studies continue to support the move to learning communities to increase student learning (Cate, Vaughn & O’Hair, 2006; Newmann, Smith, Allensworth & Bryk, 2001).

Professional learning communities are characterized by practices that are grounded in democratic ideals. Several of the schools in your area say they are becoming a Professional Learning Community. Before you consider this for your school/district, you want to be better informed.

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