The Los Angeles Learning Centers are intended to be a model for public education in urban, multiethnic communities. The core concepts behind their design follow.
- Collaborative decisionmaking, handled by a site-based management council made up of the principal, teachers, parents, and students.
- New instructional approaches, including teachers who stay with the same students for several years in multi-age classes and a schedule that provides time and opportunity for teachers to plan together.
- Using the community as a resource for teaching and learning.
- Comprehensive student assessments that improve performance and monitor school effectiveness.
- Thematic, interdisciplinary curriculum developed by teachers.
- An emphasis on the transition from school to work and postsecondary education.
- Advanced instructional methods that reflect cognitive theories of learning, intelligence, motivation, and individual differences.
- Continual learning by educators, who plan and share with colleagues and participate in extensive, ongoing professional development.
- Restructured school support services that are integrated and linked with community resources to help the school prevent and remove barriers to learning.
- Multiple advocates for each child.
- Advanced instructional technology that is integrated with instruction and curriculum.
Partners in the Learning-Center Design
- Atlantic Richfield Company
- Bank of America
- GTE California
- KCET-TV
- Los Angeles City Mayor’s Office
- Los Angeles Educational Alliance for Restructuring Now
- Los Angeles Educational Partnership
- Los Angeles Unified School District
- Rockwell International Corporation
- Times Mirror Company
- United Teachers of Los Angeles
- University of California at Los Angeles
- University of Southern California
