Why community schools are a no-brainer
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This seems so obvious that it shouldn’t have to be said, but with standardized testing being the focus of school reform, here goes anyway: Children can’t become high achievers in school if they arrive in class hungry, sick, exhausted, traumatized. That’s why community schools should be a bigger part of the school reform movement than they are.
Community schools focus not only on academics but also, through partnerships with outside organizations, child and youth development, family support, health and social services, and community development. By aligning with non-profits, businesses, and public agencies, community schools can streamline services to their students while avoiding costly redundancies and gaps in delivery.
This piece is about the value of community schools, written by Brock Cohen, who after teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 12 years, is pursuing a doctorate at the University of Southern California while working at the Los Angeles Education Partnership nonprofit as a small schools coach. As such, he now works with the Los Angeles Unified School District’s teacher collectives to ensure that all of their students have access to engaging, high-quality curricula and instruction.
By Brock Cohen
No family exists in a vacuum, many parents need support to become the best parents they can be, and sadly, not every child has a parent as a champion. –
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