Community Schools advocates praise new Colorado law
Advocates for Community Schools, including the local teachers union and the Pueblo Education Coalition, received a boost last week when Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 102 into law. Although neither the district nor the D60 board responded to a request for comment, during a February meeting, board member Dennis Maes and Superintendent Charlotte Macaluso offered their beliefs that Risley — which benefits from a network of partnerships and collaborations — is already meeting the requirements of a Community School.
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Op-Ed: Community Schools Could Become Hubs for Delivering Resources
Schools could be made a focal point for getting critical resources, including social services, to students and their families. Among the successful strategies that have fostered educational equity over the past century are “community schools.” Community schools are emerging again, this time as a promising approach to two critical policy issues in our state: school desegregation and school consolidation.
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For a strong future, all Minnesota students deserve excellent education opportunities
Minnesotans have made clear to us how much they value strong funding for our K-12 classrooms. A three percent per-pupil increase the first year and two percent the second year of the budget will help position schools to build a great future for all students, no matter where they live in the state. It’s critical to encourage our next generation of Minnesotans to develop passions and ambitiously aspire to reach their hopes and dreams. Read More >
New community schools law makes a splash with Aurora Public Schools teachers
Local teacher union advocates hope the Aurora Public Schools district will take advantage of a new law allow allowing struggling schools to become not just learning centers but also food banks, mental health clinics, adult language classrooms and laundromats, with mindfulness and meditation built into school curriculum. Read More >
Competing priorities: Comparing the DFL, GOP and Walz education budgets
School safety and student mental health, school funding increases, and varied approaches to early childhood education all got attention in spending plans brought by the governor, the House and the Senate. During the 10-day spring break at the Legislature, Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker embarked on another statewide education tour to tout Gov. Tim Walz’s plan, which includes a 3 percent general education funding boost for fiscal year 2020 and another 2 percent for 2021. She said school leaders she’s meeting with this week hope to see that hefty increase in the final budget. Read More >
Nearly $4 Million Investment Will Expand Student-Centered Learning
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Community Schools Playbook Released Today
We are excited to share a new resource, the Community Schools Policy Playbook! Geared toward advocates and elected officials at the state and local levels. We encourage you to use the Playbook, send it to your networks, and share it with your elected officials to help them become community school champions. Read More >
Center for American Progress Releases new Report Building Community Schools
The community schools strategy rethinks public schools in order to provide children in low-income communities with a high-quality education. It centers public schools as hubs for communities and combines a rigorous, relevant educational program with extended learning opportunities, family and community engagement, and an infusion of social services. Read More >
Prince Georges County Public Schools Board Approves Community School Policy with Leadership from Board Member and Coalition Policy Director Mary Kingston Roche
Prince George’s County, MD, one of the 25 largest school districts in the country, on June 7 approved a policy promoting community schools for its 130,000 student school system. The policy is a culmination of a collaborative effort among Board members, the teacher union, community members, and the administration. Read More >
Philadelphia Community School Initiative adds two additional sites
An elementary school and high school will join the city initiative; providing many resources to the students including food, clothing, job connections, counseling, and adult education, among other things. Read More >