Connecting, learning, and collaborating with researchers and practitioners from the Community Schools field

Research Practice Network

About the Network

  • Create, maintain, and execute a research agenda focused on improving implementation and outcomes for students, community schools, families, and community members;
  • Serve as a clearinghouse for research and implementation level best practices;
  • Convene community school advocates around areas for collaboration and joint research; and
  • Identify new funding streams to support high-quality research on community schools.

Joining the Network

Practitioners and researchers are encouraged to join and connect with, share, learn from, and collaborate with those in the Community Schools field and receive timely announcements of new research and funding opportunities. Those outside of these roles are also welcomed to join to learn more about Community Schools.

Complete the RPN Membership Form

The Coalition for Community Schools Research Practice Network (CCS RPN) is supported by IEL’s research team. If you have any questions, please email ccsrpn@iel.org.

Past Events

2024 Webinars

2023 Webinars

2022 Webinars

2021 Webinars

2019-2020 Webinars

 

RPN Clearinghouse of Community Schools Studies and Publications

Please use this form to share your updated research and publications with IEL CCS RPN. We will update our database regularly, and share the research and publications with all Coalition for Community Schools (CCS) networks.

Community Schools Research Agenda

Download PDF here

In collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships, IEL’s Coalition for Community Schools Research Practice Network hosted a three-day virtual convening in July 2020 to develop a national Community Schools Research Agenda. The convening, “Powerful Learning: How Community Schools Support Learning and Thriving Students, Families, and Communities” brought together over 60 multi disciplinary researchers and practitioners who have contributed to the community schools knowledge base. Participants spent time in facilitated break out groups co-creating a national research agenda for community schools, and brainstormed topics, questions, processes, and methods to prioritize as we seek to grow and support the community schools movement. Finally, participants considered how to enact the Research Agenda and articulated their individual role in advancing the work. Click here to see the research agenda.

 

CCS RPN Co-Chair Criteria

The network has 2 co-chairs, a practitioner and a researcher. Nominations criteria:

Practitioner:

  • in a daily role/position within a community school initiative (school, district, or regional/state intermediary level)
  • participated in community schools research or program evaluation (working alongside researchers)
  • familiar with community schools research
  • a part of one of our Coalition for Community Schools networks (desired, not required)

Researcher:

  • has a body of research published specifically on community schools.
  • engaged in community schools work, inclusive of e.g., Research-Practice partnerships or participatory action research.
  • affiliated with a university or a research institution.
  • has a completed doctoral degree.
  • is a part of one of our Coalition for Community Schools networks (desired, not required)

Co-Chairs

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Dr. Naorah Rimkunas

Assistant Professor of Community Schools at Binghamton University

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​Xavier Cason​

Director of Community Schools & School Transformation​, Durham Public Schools