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Maple River Education Coalition PAC
105 Peavey Rd, St 116 
Chaska, MN  55318 
952-361-4931
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January 9, 2002

Small Learning Communities from the NEGP

The just-signed "No Child Left Behind" repealed Goals 2000, but it is "repealed" in name only. The following publication is from the National Education Goals [2000] Panel (NEGP) and it demonstrates one more way in which the "framework" of Goals 2000 is completely in place. The Goals 2000 Law has no more usefulness, now that the structure has been constructed.

A weekly news update on America's Education Goals and school improvement efforts across America from the National Education Goals Panel

Friday - January 4, 2002 -- Vol. 2 -- No. 130

Getting To Know You: New Theme in Houston High Schools
(Goal Two: High School Completion)

In an attempt to improve the graduation rate, many high schools in the Houston school district are establishing smaller communities of students (Markley, Houston Chronicle, 1/2). At Lee High School, for example, teachers are assigned to small communities of students who take courses "geared to their interests," writes the paper. Many teachers stay with the same group of students from one year to the next.

The smaller communities typically have a career theme that is designed to attract and motivate students.

Mike Klnosky, director of the Small School Workshop at the University of Illinois at Chicago, said one reason the small-schools movement is sweeping the nation is the funding provided by groups such as Carnegie Corporation, Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. However, he added: "Just changing the size of the learning communities is not adequate. This requires a real change in the way that teachers work together and the way that teaching and learning takes place."

For more information, visit the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

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