The National Coalition for Community Schools applauds the D.C. City Council for passing the landmark Community Schools Incentives Act and for the Council's continued support for meaningful and equitable education reform in Washington D.C.
The $1 million in funding, which the Council recently approved, will provide $200,000 to five schools to incorporate health, youth development, social services, and academic support through community partnerships into their schools.
Research has shown that children who come to school hungry and preoccupied with out-of-school problems struggle to learn in the classroom. Community schools are a proven strategy that can help more students overcomes these factors, come to school ready to learn, and graduate college and career-ready.
Many school systems and their communities are adopting this approach including Chicago, Cincinnati, Portland (OR), and they are seeing improved attendance, graduation, better health and reduced discipline rates.
"The Coalition applauds the tireless efforts of DC VOICE that led to the passage of this legislation," said Martin Blank, president of the Institute of Educational Leadership and director of the Coalition for Community Schools. "DC VOICE's community action research and community organizing work demonstrates how grassroots organizations can be instrumental in moving policymakers to take action to support community schools."
