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Relationship to framework
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An essential component of college preparedness is that all students have the opportunity to interact with one another to share expectations, assignments, information, and support. While not a substitute for small class size and the individual instruction that follows, student peer learning networks can provide a small group learning environment within a larger class structure. Such networks provide students with a positive context in which they can work through a rigorous and demanding curriculum.
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Purpose
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To provide information and structure to the planning process in order to develop peer networks.
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Outcomes
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Schools will be able to:
- Identify what currently exists.
- Determine action steps to be taken to develop peer networks.
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How to use
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This tool can be used as general information or as part of the planning process.
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When to use
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Anytime
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Strategies
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Currently Exists?
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Action Steps Needed to Implement Strategy
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Cooperative learning as classroom practice
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Integrate cooperative learning into classroom pedagogy at all levels.
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Support professional development for teachers in cooperative learning instruction.
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Provide teachers time to share cooperative learning feedback and results to promote effective practice.
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Cooperative learning for
differing levels of academic achievement
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Students from different levels of academic achievement collaborate on academic or public service projects.
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Students from different academic levels attend together at least one class in which cooperative learning occurs.
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Integrating cooperative learning into
student planning and college preparation activities
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Support professional development for counselors and other staff for cooperative learning.
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Assign students to group counseling modules to formulate postsecondary plans.
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Seniors already through the process counsel sophomores on the college admission process; mix academic achievement levels.
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Students collaborate regularly to assess postsecondary needs of student population; use as basis for communicating information to/about postsecondary institutions.
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Eliminating zero-sum competition
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End the use of class rank – alternatives such as the college model (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude) exist and can be used in high schools.
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Post school-wide postsecondary goals, including graduation rate, college attendance, and college completion as goals to work toward as a class.
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