KCTS Connects Special: The Learning Curve

The Incredible Shrinking School

Thursday, December 9, at 7:00 p.m.

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When she was barely out of junior high Teri Suia was "just done" with school. Today, Suia plans to become a teacher and she has a scholarship to college. What accounts for the transformation? Her school got smaller.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed more than $350 million to create and support small high schools nationwide. Truman High School in Federal Way is among the first in the Pacific Northwest to receive a makeover with money from the Foundation. Under the grant, Truman was torn down and rebuilt—in every way imaginable. The building is brand new and filled with light. Students are split into learning teams that are so small, there is no way to slink through class unnoticed.

In our Learning Curve report we will examine the growing pains that come with shrinking schools. At Truman High School overall academic achievement has not improved much. But you will meet students who demonstrate the power of this intimate approach to impact individuals.

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