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- Paul E. Barton

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What Matters Beyond School 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)

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What Matters Beyond SchoolWhat 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)

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Conditions for LearningConditions for LearningEarly childhood development programs

that nurture learning and developmentSchool has: qualified teachers,

challenging curriculum, high standards, and high expectations

Students 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

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An Organizing FrameworkAn Organizing FrameworkLeadership as driver of changeParent and community tiesProfessional capacity Student-center learningInstructional guidance

(Source: Organizing Schools for Improvement: Lessons from Chicago. Bryk, et al.)

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What is a Community School?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)

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What Happens in a Community What Happens in a Community School?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 engagementIncreased learning

time (after school, enriched learning opportunities)

Adult education and workforce preparation

Community building

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Results-Focused: 0-18Results-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.

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The Community Schools The Community Schools AdvantageAdvantage

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

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Research FindingsResearch 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.

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Key PrinciplesKey Principles

Foster strong partnershipsShare accountability for results

Align school and community assets and expertise

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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 Community Schools Operating FrameworkOperating Framework

What Leaders What Leaders Must Be Able to DoMust Be Able to Do

Teaching and LearningFamily and community connections

Organizational effectiveness

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For More Information Please Contact:For More Information Please Contact:

Martin BlankPresident, Institute for Educational

LeadershipDirector, Coalition for Community Schools4455 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 310Washington, DC 20008202-822-8405 x167blankm@iel.org

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