Community learning centers in Quebec: Changing lives, changing communities

Abstract

The Community Learning Centres developed in the Canadian province of Quebec are advanced exemplars with special contributions to leaders worldwide. In French-speaking Quebec, English speaking Canadians are a minority who are at risk of social exclusion and social isolation. A powerful innovation was needed in response to their needs and aspirations, and the Community Learning Centre model was selected as the best response. Leaders’ approach to developing this new design is noteworthy and exemplary. For example, they have proceeded with a theory of change strategy; they have dovetailed it with a research-supported framework for implementation science; and they have developed and worked with policy councils who help with resource related needs and accountability requirements. At the same time that they have advanced a model with shared features, leaders have ensured that each Centre is tailor-made for its locale. Even more impressive is the province-wide scale up: Leaders have progressively developed more than thirty such centers. Alongside their still-evolving lessons learned and evaluation findings, these leader-authors offer valuable lessons learned for newcomers and more experienced colleagues alike.