NEA FOUNDATION GRANT TO EXPAND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Two Arkansas school districts will serve as models in development of community schools thanks to a grant secured through a partnership with the AEA and the NEA Foundation. Community Schools mobilize students, families, educators, and community members to develop a grassroots vision for their schools and communities, and they work together to achieve their vision. During the summer of 2020, the NEA Foundation released a by-invitation only request for proposals (RFP) from partnerships engaged in developing or expanding community schools across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. AEA worked closely with ForwARd Arkansas and the Arkansas Coalition of Community Schools on this venture. As a result, Arkansas was awarded a $75,000 grant to implement community school strategies to address community need; build on existing community assets; and improve outcomes for students and families, especially in low income communities with the greatest need. The Little Rock School District and Batesville School District were identified as model districts to implement this program. This includes working closely and creating a partnership with leaders within the LRSD, City of Little Rock, Batesville School District, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, ForwARd Arkansas, and AEA. The grant will address needs ranging from a broad state-level infrastructure to field testing school-level implementation for the purpose of creating model community schools in rural and urban settings. A resource of “What Works� will be
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ARKANSAS EDUCATOR
aeaonline.org
created outlining lessons learned and best practices in Arkansas urban and rural community schools. AEA is excited to be part of this partnership with the goal to support the development of community schools both locally and as a southern regional strategy. Additionally, the NEA Foundation is providing technical assistance to the grant recipients and partners. This support will include training rural and urban Community School coordinators; outreach and marketing strategies to promote and activate demand for Community Schools in other regions of the state; and develop policy and funding strategies which will include steps to enact legislative language for the infrastructure of funding and financing. Plans are set for future funding strategies that include both local and national philanthropy efforts; legislation to provide state level resources; and federal funding sources. The Community Schools Model is based on the work of Chicago immigrant communities in the late 1800s. Comparable to what we see throughout our communities today, there was a lack of resources to support immigrant families and many children were living in poverty. During wartime and the depression, communities began wraparound services for students (particularly those in poverty) as school was the only place for exposure to art and music. There was the realization that students living in poverty and not having their basic needs met may not be as successful as their healthy and well-fed peers. Since then, many advances and partnerships have been forged to create community schools within districts and states. These relationships have increased student success; led to higher educator retention; and greater communication between stakeholders.
