http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/~learnconnect/

Learning Connections is a consortium of educational institutions which serve the northern portion of the Valley of the Sun. Member institutions include Paradise Valley Unified School District, Paradise Valley Community College, Arizona State University West, and Northern Arizona University. Cave Creek Unified School District and Deer Valley Unified School District have expressed interest in being a part of Learning Connections.

Learning Connection commits itself to a simple goal: Maximizing educational opportunities for all of the residents of the northern service region. Members of the consortium identify shared interests, anticipate and respond to needs, and explore opportunities to integrate plans, resources, and activities. A foundational assumption of the membership is that the consortium must strive to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching and learning at every level of the educational spectrum.

The consortium operates by utilizing small, focused committees and a series of focus teams. Focus teams are critical to the success of the consortium. Each team focuses on an issue or an area of interest and concern then develops an annual action plan relating to its specific area of interest, and finally structures activities to meet identified needs. Representative focus teams are: mathematics reform; cultural diversity; faculty and staff development; fine arts; service learning; health occupations; and, service learning.

The Executive Committee is composed of the CEO's of the various institutions and/or their designees. This committee develops a three year strategic plan, assesses progress toward its accomplishment, and administers a communications network, in addition to facilitating the work of a steering committee, which exists to to coordinate activities among focus teams to avoid duplication of activities and a planning committee, which organizes "kick-off, special event and year-end sessions.

During the 2000-2001 academic year Learning Connections will continue its successful initiatives in such areas as establishing a 2+2+2 education program to assist in combating the shortage of qualified teachers in the Phoenix area; its successful articulation program between the high schools, the college, and the universities; mathematics reform; science innovation; and faculty and staff development emphasizing the importance of learner centered environments.

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