Www.communityschools.org1 Community Schools: An Essential Strategy to Support Student Success

www.communityschools.org 1

Community Schools: An Essential Strategy to Support Student Success


What Matters in SchoolsQuality teachersStrong leadershipEngaging and enriching curriculumAccountabilityTrust among principal, teachers, and parents


What Matters Beyond School

Low birth-weight and non-genetic prenatal influences on children;Inadequate medical, dental, and vision care;Food insecurity;Environmental pollutants;Family relations and family stress; andNeighborhood characteristics

Source: Berliner, David C. (2009). Poverty and Potential: Out-of-School Factors and School Success. Boulder and Tempe: Education and the Public Interest Center & Education Policy Research Unit. Retrieved [date] from http://epicpolicy.org/publication/poverty-and-potential


What Matters Beyond School

Weight at birthLead poisoningHunger and nutritionReading to young childrenParent availability and supportStudent mobilityParent participation

Source: Parsing the Achievement Gap: Baselines for Tracking Progress by Paul Barton, Educational Testing Service. http://www.ets.org/research/pic/parsing.pdf

What is a Community School?A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. It provides academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement, and brings together many partners to offer a range of support and opportunities for children, youth, families, and communities. The school is generally open for extended hours for everyone in the community. Community schools may operate in all or a subset of schools in an LEA. (Title I Guidelines, U.S. Department of Education, Sept. 2, 2009)


Duncan: School and Community

“When families learn together and when schools truly become the heart and center of a neighborhood – a community anchor - there are tremendous dividends for children”.


School Site

Site Resource Coordinator

Health

Recreation

Adult ed Tutoring

Social Services

Art

After School

Parent Center

Community Meetings

Conditions for LearningEarly childhood development programs that nurture learning and developmentSchool has: qualified teachers, challenging curriculum, high standards, and high expectationsStudents are motivated and engagedPhysical, social, and emotional needs are met for youth and familiesCollaboration and respect between families and schools staffCommunity is engaged with the school


Results-Focused: 0-18Students attend regularly. Students achieve academically.Students are engaged and motivated—civically and academically. Students are healthy—physically, emotionally, mentally.Families are involved and supportive—of children and their education.Schools, families and community work together.Schools are safe—for students, parents, school staff.Communities are desirable places to live.


Adult education and workforce preparationCommunity-based learning (service, civic, experiential)Community buildingComprehensive services: health, mental health, prevention services and family support Early child developmentFamily and community engagementIncreased learning time (after school, enriched learning opportunities)

What Happens in a Community School?


The Community Schools Advantage

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 opportunities for young people while strengthening their communities


Research FindingsStudent gains in academic achievement and non-academic development widely evident;Parent/family participation seen as instrumental to children’s success;Schools have stronger staff and parent relationships, improved school climate and greater community support;Community is stronger – improved safety and connections among people.


Key PrinciplesFoster strong partnershipsShare accountability for results Align school and community assets and expertiseSet high expectations for all Build on the community's strengths Embrace diversity

Key Operating Elements

Principal leadership and supportLead agency -- community school coordinatorSite-based planning teamIntermediary capacityEngaged issue-focused collaborativesCommunity leadership group



LARGE SCALE INITIATIVES

Chicago, IL: 150 Portland, OR: 54Lincoln, NE: 23 Cincinnati, OH: 15 Montgomery County, MD: 22 Evansville, IN: AllTulsa, OK: 12Kansas City, MO Area: 60South King County (WA): 15St. Louis, MO: 13


INTERMEDIARYINTERMEDIARY

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY LEADERSHIPLEADERSHIP

SITE LEVEL LEADERSHIPSITE LEVEL LEADERSHIP•Principal Site Team

•Community School Coordinator Stakeholders:•Principals•Community School Coordinator•Families•Teachers•Citizens•Community Partners•Youth

Functions:•Results Framework•Financing•Resource Development•Oversight/Evaluation•Communication•TA & Professional Development•Policy/Advocacy

Functions:•Results focused planning•Community Mobilization•Program Alignment & Integration•Partnership Development•Oversight

Stakeholders:•School•Local Government•Civic Organizations•Corporation•Community Agency•Neighborhood•Families•Youth

Intermediaries:•School District•LEA•United Way•Local Gov’t•Local Ed.Fund

Community Schools Operating Community Schools Operating FrameworkFramework


“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

Community SchoolsCommunity SchoolsTHE

TIME IS

NOW!!!www.communityschools.org

For More Information Please Contact:Martin BlankPresident, Institute for Educational

LeadershipDirector, Coalition for Community Schools4455 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 310Washington, DC 20008202-822-8405 [email protected]


Documents

Www.communityschools.org1 Community Schools: An Essential Strategy to Support Student Success