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Making the Difference: Research and Practice in Community Schools

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Making the Difference—The Community School Vision

A community school is a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, services, supports and opportunities leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. Schools are centers of the community.

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How Community Schools Work

Community School CoordinatorEmployed by Community-Based Organization or School DistrictEnsure intentional partnerships focused on resultsCommunities and schools act in concert to help young people succeedSchools do not work alone

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Making the DifferenceThe Purpose

To strengthen the common sense argument for community schools by summarizing a growing body of evidence that point to their promise.To look at the impact of community schools on students, families, schools and communities.

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Facts of Life Some of the realities that challenge today’s

schools and educators:

Cultural DisconnectsPoverty Too Much Unstructured Time Unaddressed Health Needs TransienceSchool Violence and Unsafe School Environments Overburdened and Under Resourced Schools

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The Community School Advantage

Community schools:

Garner additional resources and reduce the demands on school staff Provide learning opportunities that develop both academic and non-academic competencies Build social capital — the networks and relationships that support learning and create opportunity for young people while strengthening their communities

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Community Schools: Garner additional resources and

lessen the demands on school staff

Community schools:

Address social, emotional, physical and family issues that affect student learningstrategically link and partner to leverage services and programs that meet the essential needs of students are intentional about bringing together resources that contribute and connect to the school’s educational agenda give principals and teachers more time to concentrate on their core educational mission

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Community Schools:Provide learning opportunities that

develop both academic and non-academic competencies

Abundant opportunities for learning and exploration in school, afterschool and in the community help students mature in all areas

Intellectual (academic, cultural competence, decision making)

Physical (good health habits) Psycho-emotional (strong morals,

confidence, future plans) Social (peer/parent relationships, civic

activity)

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Community Schools:Build Social Capital

Increases the connection to networks of people and informationIncreases exposure to role modelsEnhances sense of connectedness to others and belief in selfCan be cultivated and replenished even in low income areas

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What is the Result?

Community Schools are able to fulfill all five conditions for learning that are necessary for all children to succeed at high standards

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Condition for Learning #1

The school has a core instructional program with qualified teachers, a challenging curriculum and high standards and expectations for students.

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Condition for Learning#2

Students are motivated and engaged to learn both in school and in community settings, during and after school.

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Condition for Learning #3

The basic medical, mental and physical health needs of young people and their families are addressed.

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Condition for Learning #4

There is mutual respect and

effective collaboration between school staff and parents and families.

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Condition for Learning #5

Community engagement, together with school efforts, promote a school climate that is safe, supportive and respectful and that connects students to a broader learning community.

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Making the Difference

SO… what happens when you DO put all these pieces together in one place – a community school?

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Broad Findings

Integration of categorical approaches into a comprehensive strategy strengthens their impact. There is a close relationship between student learning and positive results for families, schools and communities.

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Broad Findings (cont’d)

Student gains in academic achievement and non-academic development widely evidentParent/family participation seen as instrumental to children’s successSchools have stronger staff and parent relationships, improved school climate and greater community supportCommunity is stronger – improved safety and connections among people.

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Impact of Community Schools on Young People (20 studies)

Improved grades and test scores (15)Improved attendance (8)Reduced behavioral problems and suspensions (5)Greater contact with supportive adults (3)Improvements in personal/family situation (3)Better work habits -- classroom cooperation, homework completion (3)

Plus ten other positive documented outcomes (at least one or two studies)

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Impact of Community Schools on Families (11 studies)

Improved communication with schools and teachers (5)Improved stability/basic needs met (3)Increased ability to work (3)Increased confidence in role as child’s teacher (3)

Plus six other positive documented outcomes (at least one or two studies)

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Principals & staff appreciate value-added (5)Increased parent participation in children’s learning (4)Growth in non-partisan support for public education and community schools (4)Teachers see value of parent participation (3)Plus five other positive documented outcomes

(at least one or two studies)

Impact of Community Schools on Schools (14 studies)

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Increased community knowledge and perception of initiative (7)Increased utilization of school buildings (7)Improved security and safety in surrounding areas (2)Strengthened community pride and identity, and engagement of citizens and students (2)

Impact of Community Schools on Communities (12 studies)

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Making the Difference – Four Strategies

A Motivating VisionConnected Learning ExperiencesCommunity PartnershipsStrategic Organization and Financing

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Action Agenda (I)

A MOTIVATING VISION Engage the community

Use data to drive decision-making Keep schools open mornings, evenings, and weekends all year longBuild and rehabilitate school buildings as community schoolsBuild small schools

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Action Agenda (II)

CONNECTED LEARNING EXPERIENCESIncorporate the community in the curriculumProfessional development for teachers and principals in how to use the community as a learning resourceIntegrate in school and after school learning experiences Draw on youth development resources and share expertise

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Action Agenda (III)COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Create broad-based, local coalitions to advance, develop and sustain community schoolsCreate site-based planning teams Engage students, parents, families and residents Focus all partners on creating the conditions for learning Build sustainable partnerships Develop knowledge and understanding among partners and across disciplines Create interprofessional learning opportunities in higher education

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Action Agenda (IV)ORGANIZATION AND FINANCING

Create community school coordinator positions Identify the lead partner for a community school with care Organize school district funding streams to support a community schools strategy Organize other public and private funding streams to support community schoolsDevelop joint financing strategies for school facilitiesCreate technical assistance capacity Create a local intermediary organization to provide technical assistance

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“We tend to put considerations of family, community, and economy off-limits in education-reform policy discussions. However, we do so at our peril. The seriousness of our purpose requires that we learn to rub our bellies and pat our heads at the same time.”

- Paul E. Barton, Educational

Testing Service

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Community Schools Work!

Coalition for Community Schoolsc/o Institute for Educational LeadershipWashington, DCwww.communityschools.org