…Somehow we
have to ensure that every child comes to school ready and
able to learn.
~Sen. Harkin (D-IA), Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Education
Watch
as Arne Duncan Advocates for Community Schools at His Senate
Confirmation
Hearing!
Arne
Duncan Highlights Community Schools - Click
here for the Coaltion's Press Release
for
The
Lincoln Community Schools Learning Lab!
This first Coalition Learning
Lab will take place in Lincoln, Nebraska from April 27-29, 2009 at
the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel. Get your rooms now for only
$99/night! This
Learning Laboratory
is designed for teams from schools and communities that want to move on
a
community schools strategy. Ideal teams will be made of diverse
organizations
e.g.,
represent school systems, local government, public and private
agencies,
community-based organizations, higher education institutions, parents
and
parent organizations and community groups. We encourage teams of 4 or
more to
provide a stronger basis for action back home. All are welcome.
Weingarten
Calls for Collaboration and Community Schools With the reauthorization of
NCLB looming,
Weingarten
calls for community schools as a part of the education policy. Any
education policy needs to focus on collaboration with
teachers,
parents and
community partners; build capacity; and create community schools that
offer
wraparound services, including tutoring, recreational and social
service
programs. Read
more...
Community Engagement Saves a
School A Cincinnati public school was close to being closed,
due
to decreasing enrollment and poor academic outcomes – and turned into
an industrial park. Through community engagement the Oyler Community
Learning Center will now have a full-time co-located Boys and Girls
Club, a health center, full time mental health services including a
child psychiatrist from Children's Hospital, hundreds of volunteers, a
co-located recreation center program for adults that goes until 11 at
night as well as year round programming.
Homeless Students are Costing
School Districts As more
jobs are lost and foreclosures are increasing, the
numbers of homeless families are increasing. This in turn is creating
homeless students. Three hundred and thirty school districts across the
country report having more homeless students this year than in the last
school year. This influx is costing school districts - forcing them to
look for other sources of funding and resources. This is where
community partnerships become essential. Through the coordination of
services with local partners, schools will be able to meet the needs of
their homeless students and families.
Click
here to more blogs about The
Community Agenda and
community schools!
Research/Publications
New
Report States that School - Community Partnerships are the Key to
Financing Expanded Learning
In the report, Enhancing
School Reform Through Expanded Learning, the benefits of
integrating
expanded learning opportunities into overall school reform are
explored. The report argues that by pooling expertise and resources,
schools and communties can begin to breakdown barriers between
in-school and out-of-school learning and find new ways to help students
succeed in school and beyond. Read
more...
Communities
In Schools'
(CIS) seven-state study shows
improvement in
math,
reading and graduation rates is linked to integrated service
provision. The most notable finding is that the CIS Model
of
providing integrated student services has a stronger impact on
school-level
outcomes than providing services for students in an uncoordinated
fashion. Read
more here...
New Community
Organizing and Family Issues Website!
Community Organizing and
Family Issues (COFI), a Chicago-based nonprofit, has a new website!
COFI’s mission
is to strengthen the power and voice of low-income and working families
at all
levels of civic life. Through their development
and organizing process, parents develop skills, confidence, and the
organized
power to win improvements in schools, communities, and public policies.
For More Information, Contact us at
or
202-822-8405.
ad>
4455 Connecticut Avenue, NW | Suite 310 | Washington, DC 20008
