Learning Communities

According to Newman (1994), a learning community consists of "school staff members taking collective responsibility for a shared educational purpose, and collaborating with one another to achieve that purpose" (p. 1).

Lockwood (1995) notes that in a learning community:

• Teachers collaborate and make shared decisions.

• Teachers work together on teams to develop interdisciplinary curricula.

• Teachers consider themselves active learners and participate in professional development to refine their knowledge and teaching strategies.

• The principal functions less as an authoritative leader and more as a partner connecting staff, parents, and the community.

• Students with diverse abilities and interests are grouped together.

References