April 2003 — Features
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Redesigning Schools to Meet 21st Century Learning Needs
Changing Schools Into 'Learning Communities'
In NCTAF's 1996 report, "What Matters Most: Teaching for America's Future," we called for "schools organized for success." Now in our most recent report, "No Dream Denied," we call these schools "learning communities." To transform all schools into learning communities, we recommend the following action steps:
1. Operate schools according to what research tells us about how children learn.
2. Reallocate and appropriate funds to provide teachers and other school leaders with the time, flexibility and resources they need to create and sustain small, well-focused professional learning communities.
3. Reallocate the resources of large low-performing schools to support the creation of small learning communities, breaking down teacher isolation and student anonymity.
4. Select, prepare, retain and reward superintendents, principals, teachers and other school leaders who demonstrate the vision and skill to build schools that can meet 21st century needs.
5. Adopt modern technologies and make use of research findings that enable teachers to diagnose student learning needs and deploy appropriate teaching strategies that customize instruction appropriately.
6. Use Internet-based networked learning communities that allow teachers and students to participate in high-quality learning anytime, anywhere.
7. Use multiple assessments and accountability indicators that give a clear and continuing picture of progress toward student learning goals.
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