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

2. www.communityschools.org2 What Matters in Schools Quality teachers Strong leadership Engaging and enriching curriculum Accountability Trust among principal, teachers, and parents

3. www.communityschools.org3 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

4. www.communityschools.org4 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.pdfhttp://www.ets.org/research/pic/parsing.pdf

5. 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)

6. www.communityschools.org6 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”.

7. www.communityschools.org7

8. 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

9. www.communityschools.org9 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.

10. www.communityschools.org10 Adult education and workforce preparation Community-based learning (service, civic, experiential) Community building Comprehensive services: health, mental health, prevention services and family support Early child development Family and community engagement Increased learning time (after school, enriched learning opportunities) What Happens in a Community School?

11. www.communityschools.org11 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

12. www.communityschools.org12 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; Community is stronger – improved safety and connections among people.

13. www.communityschools.org13 Key Principles Foster strong partnerships Share accountability for results Align school and community assets and expertise Set high expectations for all Build on the community's strengths Embrace diversity

14. Key Operating Elements Principal leadership and support Lead agency -- community school coordinator Site-based planning team Intermediary capacity Engaged issue-focused collaboratives Community leadership group www.communityschools.org14

15. www.communityschools.org15 LARGE SCALE INITIATIVES Chicago, IL: 150 Portland, OR: 54 Lincoln, NE: 23 Cincinnati, OH: 15 Montgomery County, MD: 22 Evansville, IN: All Tulsa, OK: 12 Kansas City, MO Area: 60 South King County (WA): 15 St. Louis, MO: 13

16. www.communityschools.org16 INTERMEDIARY COMMUNITYLEADERSHIP SITE 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 Framework

17. www.communityschools.org17 “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

18. Community Schools THE TIME IS NOW!!! www.communityschools.org

19. 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 blankm@iel.org www.communityschools.org19