NATION’S LARGEST TEACHER UNIONS UNITE TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Philadelphia, PA — Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association, will appear jointly to discuss how community schools are helping to create the conditions for effective teaching and learning. The plenary is part of the 2010 National Forum on Community Schools and is scheduled for Noon on Thursday April 8, 2010 at the Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, PA.

Speaking to an audience of over 1,100 community school advocates and practitioners, federal officials, policymakers (local, state, and federal), and funders from across the nation, Weingarten and Van Roekel will describe  their experience with and support for community schools.

“Especially in these tough economic times, schools must be places where children can be nurtured and educated,” said Weingarten.  “We know that teachers can’t do it all, but through partnerships with other groups and agencies, community schools can address out-of-school factors like poverty and stability at home that research shows affect two-thirds of student outcomes.” 

Community schools focus on creating the conditions for learning and support for teachers in preparing vulnerable children and youth to graduate ready for college, career, and citizenship.  They are built on five pillars:  comprehensive services for students and their families, early childhood development opportunities, after school and other extended learning opportunities, parent and community involvement, and an engaging, real world curriculum.  One community school advocate, an Ohio teacher, notes the importance of this strategy, “The teachers are thankful that the services are in the building because their [students’] needs will be met. Those whose families don’t have enough food over the weekends…. Our school gives out bags of food… This not only meets a dire need, it also makes the student feel more secure, which leads to better behavior.”

“As educators, we know that the development of the whole child extends beyond the walls of the classroom,” said Van Roekel.  “We must harness the coordinated power of social services, parental engagement, service learning opportunities for students, extended learning and afterschool programs to ensure our children’s success.”

National forum participants include education and community  leaders from many places which are committed to making the community schools strategy a core element of their education reform strategy, including Cincinnati, Chicago, Portland (OR), Tulsa, Ogden (UT), Lincoln (NE) and many others.  The audience for this event includes registrants from 42 states and the District of Columbia, Canadian provinces, England, the Netherlands, and Nepal.

“Local leaders know that teachers need the support of the community to do their jobs well, says Martin Blank Coalition director and president of the Institute for Educational Leadership. “If our country wants teachers to focus on student achievement, then the community must step up and bring its human, financial and civic assets into real sustainable partnerships with our schools.  This is the heart of the community schools approach, and we are delighted to have the support of our nation’s largest teacher unions.”

Through the dedicated leadership of AFT and NEA, the Coalition believes that our working partnership with teachers will improve educational outcomes for students. 

The Coalition for Community Schools is an alliance of more than 150 national, state and local organizations in education K-16, youth development, community planning and development, family support, health and human services, government and philanthropy as well as national, state and local community school networks. Our mission is to advance opportunities for the success of children, families and communities by promoting the development of more, and more effective, community schools. The Coalition is housed at the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, DC.