Arkansas Study Circles Project

Study circle programs began in Arkansas in 1998 to help citizens engage in dialogue and problem solving on educational issues. Since then, the Arkansas Study Circles Project (ASCP), located at the Arkansas School Boards Association, has worked in more than 50 communities throughout the state on issues such as student achievement, high school reform and family involvement. The project also works in areas such as diversity, early care and education, and children’s health.

Study circles:

• are groups of 8-12 people – parents, students, community residents, business leaders, teachers – who meet multiple times to discuss a critical issue facing their community, school district or school
• bring people together from many viewpoints and backgrounds for honest and helpful discussions
• give people a chance to build trust and find common ground for solutions and action
• build on good work that is happening already
• are organized by a diverse group of people within the community
• are guided by a neutral facilitator, recorder and discussion guide

Study circles foster understanding, which leads to productive action. Study circle programs do not prescribe solutions or advocate specific actions. They lay the groundwork for thoughtful action at many levels.

Study circles help school leaders identify community priorities and important policy issues. They also help build broader community awareness and support for local public schools.

The ASCP provides free training to communities for organizational teams, facilitators and recorders. It is modeled after the work done by Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Resource Center) in Connecticut which works with communities around the country on social and political issues.

For more information about the Arkansas Study Circles Project, please e-mail Connie Whitfield, ASCP coordinator.

Additional resources:

Study circle beliefs, vision and mission
Study circle benefits
Study circle discussion topics and brochures