Reforms

Topic

Community Schools & Partnerships

California has embarked on a massive undertaking to convert several thousand schools in low-income neighborhoods into centers of community life and providers of vital services for families as well as students. In 2021, the Legislature appropriated $3 billion for community schools, which will be funded through grants through 2027-28. In addition, school districts are increasingly working with private nonprofits, businesses and other government agencies to provide students with services. Educators have come to use the catch-all phrase “community partnerships” to describe these new relationships, which can include services from student health care to after-school tutoring to athletic teams.

School Finance

June 17, 2022

Advocates for community schools support more funding but call for fixes to program

Tight deadlines and rigid qualifications were among the concerns raised by supporters of the state's multi-year community schools initiative

Ali Tadayon

Community Schools & Partnerships

June 10, 2022

How an East Bay school turns into a community school under California's model

Hundreds of campuses are slated to become community schools over the next five years; Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration urges more funding to meet the demand

Ali Tadayon

Commentary

May 23, 2022

Let's advance racial justice through community schools

Through shared power and decision-making, students, families, community, and educators can co-create relationship-centered schools and lay the foundation for an education system built by and for us all.

Tere Flores and Carl Pinkston

Commentary

May 18, 2022

California must consider rural districts' unique realities for community schools grants

Innovative program that allowed rural districts to collaborate to create and expand community school programs runs into a surprising roadblock.

Julie Boesch and Tim Taylor

Community Schools & Partnerships

May 12, 2022

California set to launch hundreds of community schools with $635 million in grants

The state's "whole child" model stresses collaborating with parents, teachers and community organizations; 265 districts are to receive initial funding.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

March 6, 2022

Every school can, and should, be a community school

Nearly $3 billion in grants from the California Community Schools Partnership Program provide a unique opportunity for schools to work with families and communities to turn their school into a vibrant community school.

Hayin Kimner and Martin J. Blank

State Education Policy

February 8, 2022

California offers graduation honor to encourage active civic engagement

Students can earn a Seal of Civic Engagement if they learn how to research issues and effect change by getting involved in community issues.

John Fensterwald

School Finance

February 7, 2022

Community schools can reinvigorate learning after Covid — if done right

California’s investment in community schools has the potential to transform student experiences if it can foster the coherence that districts and schools need to flourish.

Joel Knudson and Jennifer O’Day

Student Well-Being

January 31, 2022

California ready to launch $3 billion, multiyear transition to community schools

Districts can soon apply for funding to transform schools by expanding services for the "whole child" and extensively involving parents.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

January 25, 2022

Newsom's education budget is opportunity for California’s workforce talent supply

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2022–23 education budget proposal would represent a major investment in California's supply chain of workforce talent.

Anne Stanton

School Finance

December 29, 2021

Several options, big decisions loom for funding school construction

A 40-year-old initiative putting a ceiling on state spending may restrict how a budget surplus can be used; one option is capital spending on schools.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

September 8, 2021

School districts must start adjusting their Covid recovery plans soon

California public schools must act now and think differently to close Covid-related staff shortages.

Robert Tagorda

School Finance

May 12, 2021

Newsom proposes universal transitional kindergarten, new programs for low-income students

With a continuing surge in revenue, the governor would expand community schools and create a $500 college savings account for every low-income first grader.

John Fensterwald

Career Preparation

July 7, 2020

Veteran educator returns to his roots to lead Central Valley organization

Don Shalvey takes on challenge of boosting education and workplace outcomes for youth in Stockton area.

Louis Freedberg

Commentary

June 24, 2020

Pandemic reveals how much California needs more community schools

Model expands the ability of schools to support students and their families in multiple ways.