Community schools represent a strategy for organizing school and community resources in such a way that ultimately promotes positive academic and developmental outcomes for students. More specifically, a community school is defined by the California Department of Education (CDE, 2023) as “a ‘whole-child’ school improvement strategy where the district and school work closely with teachers, students, families, and partners.” As partners, they organize in- and out-of-school resources, supports,and opportunities so that young people thrive.” The community school coordinator, a necessary component of any community school strategy, works alongside site administrators to develop a vision and goals for the school.
In their study, The Learning Policy Institute and the National Education Policy Center has found that well-executed, community schooling represents an evidence-based strategy that enhances student outcomes, especially in districts that serve socioeconomically disenfranchised communities (LPI-NEPC; Maier et al.,). Additional research has shown that core features of community schools, such as providing extended learning and family engagement opportunities, have been associated with student achievement gains; and participation in community schools is associated with increased academic motivation in students (Castrechini & London, 2012).
The focus of this Community of Practice (CoP) is to support community school practitioners to implement a Vision for Change and Action Plan that they have set (or will set) for themselves for Fall 2023. This Vision for Change should focus on a particular stakeholder group with whom they would like to deepen/strengthen their relationship. As part of the CoP, participants will have an opportunity to access resources, peer learning, and professional development opportunities alongside their peers who are also in the throes of implementing their community school strategy and implementing their individual action plans. It will be a place where participants can explore problems, challenges, and biases in a safe, and also brave, space. The CoP will also offer participants an opportunity to build relationships with a role-alike, local network of individuals whom they can rely on for partnership and support as they progress through their community school journey.
Participants will:
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Engage in a role-alike community of learners that will serve as critical thought partners in both formal and informal consultancies
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Deepen their content knowledge around the enabling conditions for success, including shared purpose, culture of trust, and structures that foster collaborative work
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Refine and implement their Action Plans (applied projects) that focuses on a previously identified need involving a specific stakeholder group in their school/district community.
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Seek opportunities for validation, allyship, and collaborative practice
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Participate in feedback cycles alongside other participants as part of their collective and individual continuous improvement and growth.
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Have fun!