If professional learning communities offer opportunities for improving the teaching and learning process, then developing strong professional development school (PDS) partnerships establish an appropriate framework for that purpose. PDS partnerships, however, can be less than effective without proper planning and discussion about the aims of those…

The literature clearly documents the need to improve academic achievement at all levels; and specific gaps in practice to serve this need have been identified within local New Jersey high schools. The small learning community (SLC), a specific type of professional learning community, represents an effort to improve the achievement of high school…