In an era when we challenge the status quo and institute new standards for teaching and learning, policy makers seek effective models. When we see success, we question how to take what works in that setting and recreate it in other places. The Science Leadership Academy, a partnership high school between the School District of Philadelphia and The Franklin Institute, has established a highly successful inquiry-driven, project-based high school, where more than 95% of graduates pursue some form of post-secondary education.
The key to understanding what works at SLA is in the combination of pedagogy – having solid curriculum and methods that encourage students to learn how to learn – and commitment – shared beliefs and shared responsibility for success by all stakeholders. This white paper explores how SLA has built this successful teaching and learning model so that educators can replicate the model elsewhere.