PERFORMANCE LEARNING CENTERS ®

Performance Learning Centers are a unique non-traditional learning environment for high school students who are not succeeding in traditional schools. In a small school academy setting, the PLCs create business-like learning environments where students complete coursework using online, computer-based curriculum and through project-based learning. PLC staff use the CIS philosophy to create a caring learning environment where students are challenged and supported to meet their social and academic goals.

During the 2007 school year, the Communities In Schools network operated 27 Performance Learning Centers (PLCs) supporting students in 25 counties and 27 school systems throughout Georgia. Three new PLCs started operations this school year.

During the 2007 school year, Performance Learning Centers served over 2,900 students at high risk of dropping out of school.

Academics

87.8% of PLC students improved their academic average while in the program.

Average Change: On average, students came to PLC with an average in academic subjects of 68.8 in traditional schools. While at PLC, students averaged 81.4 in academic subjects, an average gain of 12.6 points.

Graduation

During the 2007 school year, 873 students graduated from Performance Learning Centers in Georgia.

Overall, 75.7% of PLC students classified as seniors at the beginning of the year graduated in 2007.

Although PLC students represented only 0.6% of high school students in the state in 2007, 1.1% of the diplomas awarded in Georgia during the 2007 school year went to PLC students.

Since the inception of the program during the 2003 school year, over 1,100 students have graduated from Performance Learning Centers in Georgia.