In addition federal education policy, several states have legislation that supports community schools:
California: Healthy Start was established in 1991 through Senate Bill 620, the Healthy Start Support Services for Children Act, to improve student learning and support families. Healthy Start enhances efforts to close the achievement gap by helping children and their family members gain access to an array of learning supports. The California Department of Education (CDE) administers Healthy Start and awards two-year planning, five-year operational, and seven -year combined planning and operational grants to local education agencies (LEAs).
Each local Healthy Start provides comprehensive school-integrated services and activities to meet the unique needs and desired results identified for children, youth, and families.
Illinois: In 2009, House Bill 684 passed the Illinois House of Representatives in a final, victorious vote of 117-0, making Illinois the only state in the nation to codify community schools into their state school code. By formalizing the community school model and providing a structure for community school oversight and expansion, Illinois is also poised to take full advantage of "Race to the Top" federal stimulus funds. By building on the existing community schools in Illinois, the state can quickly, effectively, and efficiently use federal stimulus funds.
HB 684 amends the Illinois School Code by establishing community schools as a legitimate and standardized innovative strategy for Illinois schools to implement and seek funds, when available, to address student academic success as well as parental and community engagement at the school. Click here for the HB 684 Fact Sheet.
Kentucky: The Kentucky General Assembly created Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSC) as an integral part of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) of 1990. For a school to be eligible to apply for a FRYSC grant, at least twenty- (20) % or more of the enrolled students in a school(s) must be eligible to receive free and reduced school meals. This legislation provided for an unprecedented state-level partnership between the Kentucky Department of Education and the Cabinet for Families and Children. These partners share the responsibility of implementing and sustaining the centers across the state. The legislation created the Interagency Task Force on FRYSCs comprised of a vast array of stakeholders. This Task Force developed a five-year plan to establish a statewide network of FRYSCs. The Kentucky Department of Education has continued to provide technical assistance and support of the public education mandate.
Oregon: The Oregon Commission on Children and Families (OCCF) is the largest umbrella advocacy group for children and families in Oregon. Click here to learn how OCCF supports community schools as an education reform strategy. OCCF is responsible for statewide planning, standards setting and policy development, and provides communities with research-based best practices on which to base local programs for children and families. All 36 Oregon counties have a local Commission on Children and Families, which is responsible for a local coordinated comprehensive plan; community mobilization; and coordination among community groups, government agencies, private providers and other parties, of programs and initiatives for children 0-18 years of age and their families.
Washington: The Readiness to Learn Initiative's intent is to reduce barriers to learning through the formation of school, community, family partnerships to ensure students and their families have access to resources and services necessary to help them achieve at their highest learning potential. This program was enacted as a part of Washington state's Education Reform in 1993. The goal is that all children and youth are able to attend school ready to learn. To that end, the RTL program serves as a catalyst to improve academic performance and reduce the achievement gap.
Currently more than 31 consortia have developed linkages with both public- and private-sector agencies, including colleges, universities and the business community, and reach 7,500 children and families each year. At each site, family workers provide assessment and ongoing support to students and families and work closely with interagency teams to help them meet academic, employment and socio-emotional goals.
PROPOSED STATE INITIATIVES
As more policymakers are realizing the need for comprehensive education reform, they are proposing initiatives, which they hope will lead to legislation. Massachusetts is one such States. Read more…