Transcript Linkages to Learning: Making the Case for Community Schools

www.communityschools.org
1
- Paul E. Barton
www.communityschools.org
2
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; and
 Neighborhood 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)
www.communityschools.org
3
What Matters Beyond School







Weight at birth
Lead poisoning
Hunger and nutrition
Reading to young children
Parent availability and support
Student mobility
Parent participation
(Source: Parsing the Achievement Gap: Baselines for Tracking Progress by Paul Barton, Educational Testing Service.
http://www.ets.org/research/pic/parsing.pdf)
www.communityschools.org
4
Conditions for Learning
 Early childhood development programs that
nurture learning and development
 School has: qualified teachers, challenging
curriculum, high standards, and high
expectations
 Students are motivated and engaged
 Physical, social, and emotional needs are met for
youth and families
 Collaboration and respect between families and
schools staff
 Community is engaged with the school
www.communityschools.org
An Organizing Framework
 Leadership as driver of change
 Parent and community ties
 Professional capacity
 Student-center learning
 Instructional guidance
(Source: Organizing Schools for Improvement: Lessons from Chicago. Bryk, et al.)
www.communityschools.org
6
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.
(Source: Title I Guidelines, U.S. Department of Education, Sept. 2, 2009)
www.communityschools.org
What Happens in a Community School?
 Academic Instruction –
High Quality
 Community-based
learning (service, civic,
experiential)
 Comprehensive services:
health, mental health,
prevention services and
family support
 Early child development
 Family engagement
 Increased learning
time (after school,
enriched learning
opportunities)
 Adult education and
workforce preparation
 Community building
www.communityschools.org
8
Results-Focused: 0-18








Students 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.
www.communityschools.org
9
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
www.communityschools.org
10
Research Findings
 Student 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;
and
 Community is stronger – improved safety and
connections among people.
www.communityschools.org
11
Key Principles
 Foster strong partnerships
 Share accountability for results
 Align school and community assets
and expertise
www.communityschools.org
12
Functions:
•Results Framework
•Financing
•Resource Development
•Oversight/Evaluation
•Communication
•TA & Professional
Development
•Policy/Advocacy
Community Schools
Operating Framework
COMMUNITY
LEADERSHIP
INTERMEDIARY
Intermediaries:
•School District
•LEA
•United Way
•Local Gov’t
•Local Ed.Fund
SITE LEVEL LEADERSHIP
Functions:
•Results focused planning
•Community Mobilization
•Program Alignment & Integration
•Partnership Development
•Oversight
•Principal
Site Team
•Community School Coordinator
www.communityschools.org
Stakeholders:
•School
•Local Government
•Civic Organizations
•Corporation
•Community Agency
•Neighborhood
•Families
•Youth
Stakeholders:
•Principals
•Community School Coordinator
•Families
•Teachers
•Citizens
•Community Partners
•Youth
13
What Leaders
Must Be Able to Do
 Teaching and Learning
 Family and community connections
 Organizational effectiveness
www.communityschools.org
14
For More Information Please Contact:
Martin Blank
President, Institute for Educational Leadership
Director, Coalition for Community Schools
4455 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 310
Washington, DC 20008
202-822-8405 x167
[email protected]
www.communityschools.org
15