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Community Schools |
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The new Family
Strengthening Policy Center (FSPC) Web site is a clearinghouse of
information and tools dedicated to family strengthening practices, programs,
and policy. One of the principles on which the site is based is that
families are strong when they are supported by safe and thriving
neighborhoods. Resources include a number of policy briefs on topics such as
parental involvement in education, mentoring, and community violence
prevention.
The
Whole Schooling Consortium is an international network of schools and
individual teachers, parents, administrators, university faculty and community
members. We are concerned with the following central problems that deepen our
social and individual problems: segregation of children based on ability,
ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status and other characteristics;
standardization and narrowing of curricula, stifling creativity, critical
thinking, and democratic engagement; narrowly focused standardized assessment
that centers schooling around the taking of a test rather than learning and
creates competition and rivalry across schools; punishment of schools and
educators rather than providing help, support and assistance; consequent
creation of school cultures of tension, anger, and pressure preventing what
should be a place of joy, fun, community, and care; and lack of attention to
economic and social needs of children.
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Fall 2004 Issue of Leading Change:
Integrating Communities and Schools -
The 2004 fall issue of Leading
Change is available for download. This issue of the Michigan Department of
Education publication focuses on Integrating Communities and Schools.
We Don't Just Serve the Children - This rural Maryland school district
can show the big guys how to bring people together for kids.
District Administration:
Community Connections - Smart school districts
reach out to their communities to make turnarounds and improve learning.
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U.S.
Schools As One-Stop Centers for Kids & Families
- Providing educational and social services at a school site is an
effective and efficient way to provide "hope and solutions" for students, their
families, and entire neighborhoods. Already there are well over 1,000
full-service schools in the United States and, as word of their success spreads,
many more schools and community agencies will form partnerships to support
students and their families.
Shared Facilities:
Youth Organizations and Schools - Jane Quinn of the Children's Aid
Society presents a sound argument for "joint-use" agreements to support the use
of schools as centers for the whole community. [Source: PEN]
Community Schools: Is This Their
Time? - A commentary by Neal
Peirce; Overshadowed by the exclusive academic focus of the federal
government's "No Child Left Behind" initiative, a strong movement for full
community-based schools has been building around the nation.
(May 2003)
Coalition
for Community Schools: Strengthening Schools, Families and
Communities - The Coalition for Community Schools works toward
improving education and helping students learn and grow while
supporting and strengthening their families and communities. Community
schools bring together many partners to offer a range of supports and
opportunities to children, youth, families and communities -- before,
during and after school, seven days a week.
Lights On Afterschool!
is the only nationwide event calling attention to afterschool programs
and their important role in the lives of children, families and
communities. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, help working
families and improve academic achievement.
MA Parents
Learn English, So They Can Help Their Children
Making the Difference:
Research and Practice in Community Schools
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