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In consultation with over 700 practitioners, nonprofit leaders, teachers, coordinators, researchers, and policymakers, among others, a national collaboration known as Community Schools Forward developed a framework with six key integrated practices for high-quality community school implementation.
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Decades of research have affirmed that teachers are the most critical school resource to advance student achievement. The key elements for a strong and diverse teaching profession include effective recruitment strategies, high-retention and culturally responsive preparation, supportive working conditions, and competitive and equitable compensation, as well as adequate and equitable funding to support all of these efforts.
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Providing high-quality early learning experiences is complex work. This infographic presents a framework for the essential skills and competencies children should acquire before they enter kindergarten and the related skills and competencies early childhood educators must cultivate in order to provide the high-quality early learning that will set all children on the path to success in school and in life.
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When SEL is a key pillar of the school’s mission, teachers and leaders understand that SEL should be integrated into every aspect of the school, from explicit classroom instruction and infusion into academic content to school climate and culture. In this case, teachers can continue to grow their practices as they collaborate, learn from each other, and use SEL data to make instructional decisions, with the ultimate goal of nurturing students’ social, emotional, and academic learning.
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While community schools vary in the programs they offer and the ways they operate, four features—or pillars—appear in most community schools: integrated student supports, expanded learning time and opportunities, family and community engagement, and collaborative leadership and practice. These infographics examine each pillar to provide a look at community schools in action.
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Financial investments in high-quality principal training yields substantial benefits in student achievement, as well as teacher quality and retention. States can invest in high-quality principals by using federal funds available under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for teacher and school leader development in addition to state funds. By supporting effective preparation and development programs, policymakers can increase the odds that students are in schools led by well-prepared principals.
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The passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) represents an opportunity for states, districts, and schools to equitably design education systems to ensure that historically underserved students are prepared for the demands of the 21st century. This graphic highlights four major areas that can be leveraged by policymakers, educators, researchers, and advocates to advance equity in education for all students.
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Increasing the number of teachers entering the profession is one strategy for reducing the teacher shortage, but we also need to address the persistent problem of teacher turnover. Each year, more than 200,000 teachers leave the profession, with nearly two out of three leaving for reasons other than retirement. This infographic describes the factors contributing to the teacher exodus.
