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What the Research Says. . .

Research confirms what experience has long suggested: Community schools work.
Evaluations examined the impact of 20 community school initiatives across
America, focusing in particular on outcomes that directly affect student learning. Although not all evaluations looked at every outcome, their collective results clearly show that community schools make the difference for students in four important ways:

›Community schools improve student learning. By addressing the needs of the whole child -- physical, social and emotional as well as academic -- community schools create environments that fulfill all the necessary conditions for learning. As a result, community school students show significant and widely evident gains in academic outcomes and in essential areas of nonacademic development.

Fifteen of the 20 initiatives in this study reported improvement in student academic achievement, as measured by improved grades in school courses and scores in proficiency testing.

In addition, more than half of the evaluations looked for and found evidence of positive development as measured by a variety of indicators, including improved attendance (eight initiatives), reduced behavior or discipline problems (five initiatives), greater compliance with school assignments and rules (three initiatives), increased access to physical and mental health services (five initiatives), greater contact with supportive adults (three initiatives), and improvements in personal/family situations (three initiatives).

›Community schools promote family engagement with students and schools. Families have access to services and opportunities— including chances to participate as both leaders and learners — that make them effective partners in their children’s education.

More than half of the evaluations measured and reported specific benefits to families, such as improvements in communication with schools and teachers (four initiatives), family stability and ability to provide for children’s basic needs (three initiatives), parents’ ability to meet workplace obligations (two initiatives), confidence in their ability to teach their children (two initiatives), and attendance at school meetings (two initiatives).

›Community schools help schools function more effectively.

Because parents and partners work together with the school staff to support learning, community schools positively influence overall school operations. Almost three-quarters of the evaluations examined the school’s overall environment, identifying improved outcomes in many areas. For example, principals and staff affirmed the importance of on-site services (five initiatives), more parents participated in their children’s learning (four initiatives), there was nonpartisan support for public education and access to resources through community partnerships (four initiatives), and services were well-integrated into the daily operation of schools (two initiatives). In the classroom, evaluators found increased emphasis on creative, project-based learning and more innovations in teaching and curriculum (two initiatives). School environments were more cheerful and were more likely to be perceived as safe (two initiatives).

›Community schools add vitality to communities. When the community is engaged with the school, resources and benefits flow both ways. Community partners provide on-site supports and opportunities for students, their families and their neighbors. In turn, the school maintains an active presence as a community hub, providing opportunities for family involvement, tapping into the community as a resource for learning and serving as a center for community problem solving.

Eleven evaluations that looked at this aspect
suggest that community schools play a powerful role in community building. Evaluators noted a variety of improved outcomes, including improved community knowledge of and perception of the community school initiative (seven initiatives); increased use of school buildings, awareness of community agencies and access to facilities previously unknown or unaffordable (seven initiatives); improved security and safety in the surrounding area (two initiatives); and strengthened community pride and engagement in the school (two initiatives).

More information about the initiatives, evaluations, and research methodology and limitations can be found in the full Making the Difference report in Chapter 3.

Overall, evaluation of these 20 community school models and approaches provides some important lessons for future efforts:

Lesson #1: Quality Counts. The quality of community school initiatives has a significant impact on outcomes.

Lesson #2:Attendance Matters. Higher attendance in community schools contributes to improved achievement. Children in community schools want to come to school, and so they learn more.

Lesson #3: Everyone Benefits — the Neediest Most of All. Students with the greatest need — those most likely to be in low-performing schools — benefit the most from the community school environment. Community schools that reach out to low-income and underachieving students can begin to narrow the performance gap among student groups and across schools.

Coalition for Community Schools c/o Institute for Educational Leadership * 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW Ste 310 * Washington, DC 20036 *Ph. 1-202-822-8405 X156 *Fax 1-202-872-4050 * For more information, e-mail ccs@iel.org