Small Schools and Urban Youth : Using the Power of School Culture to Engage Students

"Finally, educators leading the movement to smaller high schools have a resource they can draw upon for guidance and direction. This book offers clear, practical advice on how to create small schools that are effective in meeting student needs." —Pedro Noguera, Professor New York University "Relevant, individualized, and an insightful read. This book will be useful for any school system working to develop small learning communities." —Nancy Betler, Teacher Mentor Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, NC Learn about big educational results in smaller schools! Educators are increasingly turning to small learning communities, which have proven to be highly effective in facilitating academic engagement and achievement, particularly among low-income urban students. This in-depth sociological study reveals the unique aspects of this movement and: Examines the structural and cultural features of small learning communities and small schools in two major urban cities Highlights students′ perspectives on school culture, personalization, and student involvement Offers timely suggestions to benefit students at all levels and in every educational setting Based on original research, this text offers school leaders and policy makers a deeper understanding of the broad, positive impact of small school reform. Digging beneath the layers of school reform: size, culture, and personalization California career academies: how structure and culture create optimism among low-income urban youth Structuring competition and teamwork: reproducing the status-quo and challenging inequality side-by-side The case of Boston: how "small" schools forge academic and relational possibilities in the urban context Beneath school structure: how school culture shapes relational and academic engagement of urban high school students in Boston Beyond school size: toward a critical understanding of school culture Cover; Contents; Foreword; Preface; Purpose of the Book; Comparative Research Design; Organization of the Book; Who this Book is For; Acknowledgments; About the Authors; Chapter 1 - Digging Beneath the Layers of School Reform: Size, Culture, and Personalization; Chapter 2 - California Career Academies: How Structure and Culture Create Optimism Among Low-Income Urban Youth; Chapter 3 - Structuring Competition and Teamwork: Reproducing the Status Quo and Challenging Inequality Side by Side Explores the growth in interest of small learning communities and discusses how this educational model can be used to help foster the learning potential of students in urban environments. Features suggestions on how to implement this method of school reform and contains real-world case studies

This sociological study examines small learning communities and small schools in two major urban cities and highlights the relationship between school culture, personalization, and student engagement.