Division of Family & Community Partnerships → Study Circles → About Study Circles → How Study Circles Work
How Study Circles Work
How do Study Circles work?
- A Study Circle has 15 diverse parents and teachers (and students where appropriate)
- Each Study Circle meets together for six two-hour sessions.
- Two trained facilitators ensure that everyone has a chance to talk, and that the conversation is productive.
- Discussion questions draw on everyone's experiences—parents, staff, and students are equally important
- Find out more: Download the How Do Study Circles Work PowerPoint Presentation
What should participants expect after particpating in a Study Circle?
By the end of the six sessions, participants will have:
- Stronger relationships based on trust
- Learned about each other's cultures
- Talked honestly about racial differences
- Confronted racial and ethnic barriers to student achievement and parent involvement
- Found common ground Created action steps for change
What happens after a study circle?
- Parents will have more information on how to help their children
- Teachers will have a greater understanding of cultural differences and the effect of race and culture on teaching and learning
- The school will have:
- A unified group of diverse parents and teachers who understand the challenges and needs of a diverse school
- Action teams working to address issues raised in the circles
- Find out more: How Study Circles help schools