Public schools are not islands. They operate within communities of families, businesses, services, and individuals who all share an interest in the preparation of their younger citizens. Schools that have the support of their stakeholders have a powerful advantage in carrying out their mission. We feature in these pages stories about communities that are involved in making their public schools safe and academically rich places where students can soar.
School Boards and the Power of the Public (PDF)
This essay, "School Boards and the Power of the Public" previously appeared in John I. Goodlad, Roger Soder, and Bonnie McDaniel, eds., Education and the Making of a Democratic People. Written by NSBA's Mike Resnick and Anne Bryant, the essay explores how school boards serve as the cornerstone for civic engagement and the success of public education. Education and the Making of a Democratic People can be purchased through Paradigm Publishers at www.paradigmpublishers.com.
School boards and the power of the public. An executive summary.
Burlington School Food Project: A recipe for school and community integration
This city-wide, community-driven initiative has incorporated local farming practices into the classroom through science, math, literacy, and nutrition curriculum and brought fresh produce and healthy eating practices into this district’s lunchrooms.
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Food for thought at a Vermont elementary school
To foster community support in Alaska, add ICE
Many of Alaska's 660,000 citizens live in small rural communities, with few roads and immense distances in-between. How do these diverse communities realize their strengths and resources to enlist support for kids and enhance student achievement? The QS2/Alaska ICE program offers the answer.
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Swimming with the salmon: Kids learn through community engagement
Community connects with Kodiak High School
Community engagement, Colorado Style
Teenage pregnancy, closed schools, and gaps in student achievement can be touchy subjects, but with support from the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB), several Colorado school districts have tackled them head on.
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Small groups produce big changes in Westminster, Colo.
Learning what counts in Maryland
"Kitchen table" conversations prompt citizen involvement in Maryland school districts as part of "What Counts?", a collaborative effort of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education and local boards of education.
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Kitchen table conversations in Caroline County, Md.
Study circles make a difference in Arkansas
Arkansas school boards use study circles to bring communities together to discuss important and sometimes contentious issues and come to consensus for action.
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Rallying support for higher taxes in Malvern, Ark.
Study circles as a framework for community involvement
Organizations with information on study circles
From battle ground to common ground in Washington State
A non-adversarial approach to decision-making with its roots in the Harvard University Negotiation Team, helped the Battle Ground School District in Washington State boost student achievement, graduation rates, and parent satisfaction while reducing discipline problems and teacher turnover.
