Stemming Chronic Absenteeism the Community Schools Way

Community Schooling and Chronic Absenteeism

Community schools recognize that addressing the broader needs of students and their families is essential for student learning and well-being.

To do this, they organize in-school and out-of-school resources to address students’ academic, social, emotional and health needs while actively engaging families and the broader community.

While community schools differ depending on local needs and assets, the Essentials for Community School Transformation, a framework developed through a national collaboration called Community Schools Forward, suggests that high-quality community schools share certain features: the integration of student supports, expanded learning opportunities, increased attention to family and community engagement, and a culture of belonging, safety and care, among others.

Community school coordinators and other specialized personnel are also central figures in community schools who support and/or manage the integration of these school features.

Research has demonstrated the positive impact of community schools on student outcomes, including academic performance, higher attendance rates and social and emotional health. These successes have fueled the expansion of the community school model across the country.

Practical Resources

To learn more about community schools, the authors suggest these informational resources on the supporting research, implementation strategies and financing.

Research:

The Learning Policy Institute published “Community Schools as an Effective School Improvement Strategy: A Review of the Evidence” and “Creating the Conditions for Kids to Learn: A Case Study of Oakland’s Full-Service Community Schools Initiative." 

RAND Corporation published “Developing Community Schools at Scale: Implementation of the New York City Community Schools Initiative” and “Illustrating the Promise of Community Schools: An Assessment of the Impact of the New York City Community School Initiative." 

Implementation:

The Community Schools Forward taskforce published “Framework: Essentials for Community School Transformation" 

Brookings produced “Community Schools Can Help Superintendents Transform Education: Community Schools Leader Insights” 

Communities In Schools offers resources on partnership opportunities through integrated student supports

National Center for Community Schools produced “Building Community Schools: A Guide for Action” 

Finance Strategies:

Child Trends produced “District Leaders’ Strategies for Funding and Implementing Community Schools” 

Partnership for the Future of Learning produced “Community Schools Playbook” and “Financing Community Schools: A Framework for Growth and Sustainability”