League of Professional Schools Hosts Democratic Learning Institute

About 50 teachers and administrators from nine schools across Georgia met in Athens on May 5 to share their experiences with democratic learning in an institute hosted by the UGA College of Education-based League of Professional Schools.

Democratic learning is a concept that promotes teachers and students working together to establish programs that combine strong academic and social skills with problem-solving abilities and a commitment to improving the local community. Research shows that students become more interested in learning if teachers show them how lessons connect with the world outside the classroom, UGA education experts say.

The League of Professional Schools, a network of teachers, principals and UGA College of Education faculty members, is the first and longest-running organization of its kind. In the last two years, the League has worked to enhance learning by linking academic skills with community work.

“We feel it is important for students to see a real purpose in learning, beyond testing and traditional classroom assignments,” says Kathy Thompson, co-director of the League. “We want them to see that school has a bigger purpose. We see that purpose as developing citizens who can really engage in the community around them.”

One local democratic learning program at Morgan County Primary School in Madison involves a class using math skills to plan, purchase and budget items for a “Marvelous Mother's Day Market.” The proceeds from the market will go to a local charity.

Fowler Drive Elementary, the only Clarke County League school, is also currently developing ways to incorporate democratic learning in its classrooms.

Other schools which participated in the May 5 institute included: Norton Elementary, Snellville; Simpson Elementary, Norcross; South Jackson Elementary, Commerce; White County Intermediate, Cleveland; Whitesburg Elementary, Whitesburg; Addison Elementary and Burruss Elementary, both of Marietta .

As a partnership between the College of Education and Georgia public schools, the League has availed the talents and input of more than 40 different faculty members to nearly 140 schools. 

The May 5 institute, held at The Foundry in downtown Athens, showcased the democratic learning programs of nine out of 17 of the League's current members and provided an opportunity for the schools to learn from the experiences of others.

“These institutes help the schools to not only share their work, but deepen their work,” said Lew Allen, co-director of the League.

Allen says the League supports democratic learning by providing strategies for schools to identify community needs, establish democratic classrooms and access relevant government agencies.

“The main thing we do is give League schools access to one another so they can share their experiences and insights. The May institute was that kind of opportunity,” says Allen.

The League was founded in 1989 to expand upon the vision of Carl Glickman, emeritus professor of the College of Education, who believed that for change to be enduring, school improvement decisions must be viewed as developmental and incremental, where each decision allows participants to gain further understanding about intended and unintended consequences.

For more information on The League of Professional Schools: http://www.coe.uga.edu/lps/index.html