Coming Soon: Community Schools?

The concept of a community school could be making a comeback. Born about 100 years ago, the full-service community school idea turned a school building into a place where local organizations and the private sector coordinated a wide range of services for students and families: health clinics or dental care, English lessons for parents, adult courses, nutrition education or career advice. These schools would stay open for extended hours and on weekends, giving residents a place to come together and participate in the education of their children.

A decade of research on full-service community schools reveals that community schools improve student achievement and literacy, discipline, attendance and parental participation, decreases dropouts and increased access to preventive health care.

Now, according The Huffington Post, Congress is considering education reform legislation that could expand the number of full-service community schools in America, which would once again make schools not only places for instruction, but also the heart of their communities.

"Strengthening services in schools also has the potential to save our country money on everything from prison systems to emergency room visits," according to the piece written by Rep. Steny Hoyer, the House Majority Leader, and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.

Supporters — educators, teachers union and the Obama administration — say this model can help many students, whose issues extend beyond the classroom, by providing things such as three square meals a day and regular doctor visits.

One example mentioned is Mirabal Sisters Campus, a group of public schools serving sixth- through eighth-graders in New York City. It offers a full-service school-based health center, after-school and summer programs for performing and visual arts, technology, design and leadership training. It also has English language, computer, GED and vocational classes for parents and the community. The article notes that "Mirabal Sisters Campus has seen a steady increase in parents' involvement in their children's education and — most importantly — rising student achievement."

For the complete story, visit www.huffingtonpost.com.