Smaller schools make a difference Letters to the Boston Globe 12/19/2002 I APPLAUD Superintendent Thomas Payzant's push to create small, more autonomous high schools in the Boston school system (''Payzant pushes plan to overhaul high schools,'' City & Region, Dec. 16). If implemented well, the plan could tremendously improve the quality of the high school experience in Boston. The article quoted two sources as downplaying the impact of smallness, questioning its effects in improving the quality of education and raising academic standards. But significant research has found that according to almost every indicator, small schools are better for students than their larger counterparts, particularly for low-income students and those of color. Students in small schools attend school more, achieve at higher rates, and have fewer discipline problems. Small schools tend to have lower transfer and dropout rates and higher parent involvement. Small schools are more personalized than large schools because teachers and students can become more familiar with each other. While small schools are not a panacea - a school must also be academically challenging and engaging - they have a significant advantage over larger schools in meeting students' needs. DAN FRENCH Center for Collaborative Education Boston This story ran on page A22 of the Boston Globe on 12/19/2002. © Copyright 2002 Globe Newspaper Company.

Mission | Design | Networks & Initiatives | Coaching | (back to) Publications & Links | People | Funding | CCE Home