Mapping School/Community Partnerships: Utilizing Social Network Analysis in the Evaluation of a Statewide Literacy Initiative

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session Eight
  In Roundtable Session: Community and School Collaborations Addressing Literacy and English/Language Arts (Table 1)

Abstract

The following paper describes the utilization and application of Social Network Analysis (SNA) for the evaluation of a large statewide Literacy Initiative (LI) to investigate the nature and impact of collaboration between school districts and community partners. Drawing on SNA methodology, a survey was designed to assess network connectivity, the intensity and quality of the partnerships, and the diversity of the domains of work represented by partner organizations. Qualitative data was collected in conjunction with survey data to provide additional explanations to the SNA findings suggesting there is no “one size fits all” approach to community partnerships; instead, each school district assessed their own needs and determined ways partners could be leveraged to help them meet their objectives.

Authors

• Meltem Alemdar, Georgia Institute of Technology
  Presenting Author

• Justina Jackson, Georgia Institute of Technology
  Presenting Author

• Zijun Xu Alexander, Georgia Institute of Technology
  Non-Presenting Author