Accelerated Learning Laboratory, Worcester, Massachusetts

The Accelerated Learning Laboratory is a magnet school in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was the first school named as a Co-nect School by the New American Schools Development Corporation in 1992. The Co-nect design combines high standards for all students with a focus on technology and project-based learning. It is particularly appropriate for teaching at-risk students to work collaboratively and learn through authentic projects in technology. The school's vision states that all students can learn when learning is built on their strengths and success is the result of their efforts.

At the Accelerated Learning Laboratory, students and teachers work together in clusters. Each cluster has a geographic project that is part of the Global Studies curriculum. Students begin by studying their own community and country and then branch out to other countries and regions of the world. The project requires students to use skills from various curricular areas and also to communicate with the local community. Students use the school's communications network to access information from various sources around the world.

Students work with technology daily. They create a "Morning News Program" in the school's television studio. The program, which showcases student projects and current events, is shown live through closed-circuit television. Students also produce "Kids' View," which is aired five times a week on the local cable television station.

The Accelerated Learning Laboratory currently is constructing a new school building, which will house 800 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade. It will contain state-of-the-art wiring for computer network services.

For further information, refer to Building on Children's Strength.