We already know community schools work. Children whose families are more connected to their schools—through wraparound services like dental and vision care, food banks and social workers, but more importantly through strong, caring relationships with educators and staff—do better socially, emotionally and academically. Community schools also help address inequity and provide levers for low-income families to engage with school culture and community.
With our history of social responsibility, it is no surprise that the AFT has a long record of supporting community schools. This year, that commitment takes on new meaning with our pledge to reach 2,500 AFT-represented community schools by 2025. That goal parallels the 25,000 schools the Coalition for Community Schools, a part of the Institute for Educational Leadership, has pledged by 2025.
“We’ve been at this for a long time,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten at a recent community schools intensive June 5-6. “So many of the things we talk about in education can be solved by community schools. We no longer have to convince people about the ‘why do it.’ We have to figure out ‘how.’”
That’s why the AFT joined with the Coalition for Community Schools and the Netter Center for Community Partnerships to invite educators and administrators to come together in school district teams, then hammer out ways to move forward—some to launch new community schools and others to expand or improve existing systems. The intensive/workshop preceded the biggest community school event of the year—the Coalition for Community Schools’ National Conference for Community Schools and Family Engagement in Philadelphia June 7-9.
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