League of Small Democratic Schools

Summary of LSDS Principles

This past summer (2006), Woods Learning Center was asked to join the League of Small Democratic Schools. This organization is affiliated with the Institute for Educational Inquiry, which is based in Seattle. The WLC staff researched the League, and in October, Guy Sallade and Jennifer Grooms attended a regional meeting of the League in Cheyenne to learn more about the organization. Based on the staff’s research, the decision was made to join the League. The University of Wyoming Partnership program will pay for half of our membership fee of $500. The purpose of the League of Small Democratic Schools is (1) to promote professional development that emphasizes the growth of students as individuals who are successful members of a democratic society, and (2) to help preserve schools that successfully advance the Agenda for Education in a Democracy. League schools strive to be exemplars in the following ways.

· League schools believe the primary purpose of schooling is to develop in young people the knowledge, skills, and dispositions students require for successful participation in our nation’s social and political democracy.

· Students in League schools are successful academically and socially.

· All members of the school community engage in continuous learning.

· League schools use a wide variety of approaches to learning including engaging students with parents and other adults within the community.

· They are small schools—small enough so that faculty members can gather as a group for dialogue.

As part of our membership to the League of Small Democratic Schools, the Institute for Educational Inquiry (IEI) provides support in the following ways:

· Funding to support travel, lodging, meals; and materials for participation by school leaders from each cluster for leadership sessions in Seattle;

· Funding to support coordinators for each region;

· Technical support visits by IEI staff/regional coordinators to schools;

· Books and other materials designed to help schools with their work;

· Newsletter sharing information about the League’s work; and

· Membership recognition.

In return, Woods Learning Center has the following commitments to the League and the IEI:

· Send participants at IEI cost to leadership programs in Seattle;

· Help organize and participate in the region-al cluster leadership program in spring or summer at their own expense;

· Provide required annual documentation of their work;

· Have a university or other agency as a partner (University of Wyoming has agreed to this);

· Obtain endorsement from our school district for participating; and

· Provide a $500 contribution for membership.

Professional Development is a key component of the work of the League. The League seeks to sup-port professional development that will:

· Help members of school communities clarify their core values and assist with renewal based on a clear understanding of their purpose and vision;

· Provide members of the school community with materials to assist them;

· Facilitate mutual assistance among the members of the League;

· Encourage and promote constructive relationships between the school and external support agencies; and

· Conduct and share research/inquiry on successful practices.

The League also works to protect and preserve small democratic schools through obtaining local support, providing recognition, communicating with the media, assistance in obtaining external funding, and providing expert help with problem solving.