Applying Lessons From Full-Service Community Schools to a Framework for More Effective District-Wide School-Community Partnerships

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Building Capacity in School and Community Alliances

Abstract

This mixed-methods, design-based, collaborative study conducted in partnership between a university and school district aims to distill policies and practices at the district, school, and individual community partner level that identify and cultivate effective partnerships. We synthesize quantitative and qualitative findings from a survey of community partner agencies who work with both full-service community schools and other schools in a medium-sized urban school district to determine how the district can create a framework to improve alignment, communication, collaboration, culture, and resource- and data-sharing at the district, school, and partner levels. We find that partners report greater goal alignment and improved communication with full-service community schools, suggesting specific practices that might be implemented district wide to improve partnerships overall.

Authors

• Robert Shand, American University

• Reuben Jacobson, American University

• Fanny Terrrones