What is a
neighborhood school? Neighborhood schools "lost its identity and now is
simply what remains once magnet schools, charter schools, contract
schools." However neighborhood schools use to be a place where parents and
students knew the teachers and other administrators involved. Now there is no
"community" involvement. The lack of interaction within the schools
causes the schools to fall below what they are capable of.
Partnerships
built between schools and the local community resources makes it easier to form
a relationship amongst members within the community. "The community
environment in which a school is located has sets of preexisting complexities
that school operators must navigate. But once relationships are established and
continually cultivated, these relationships support school recruitment (in the case
of charter schools), after-school programming, student safety, parental
involvement, and student achievement."
The asset based
community development also known as ABCD has been studying issues amongst the
community and the schools. The attributes that community members can bring is a
solution that nothing from the outside can produce. The six attributes are 1-individuals,
2-associations, 3-institutions, 4-economy, 5- stories, and 6- the physical
environment. If you combine all of these things it is a great building block to
create something big.
One thing ABCD
mentions as a useful tool in building relationships in communities would be
listening campaign questions. This is lots of questions developed to get input
from all of those that are within the community. The listening campaign was
conducted on Calumet High School in Chicago.
"Calumet
High School in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood on Chicago‘s South Side was in
need of a radical turnaround. Drop-out rates and reports of violence at Calumet
High School, the largest public school serving the youth of Auburn Gresham,
were increasing, and the number of students graduating with high school
diplomas was decreasing. Chicago Public School (CPS) administration recognized
that Calumet High School needed change. "This addressed fears and concerns
and even people's values of what is important. There were children afraid to
walk to school.
"(GADC)
concerns itself with business development along the 79th Street corridor in
Auburn Gresham. It is especially influential in this regard as it is the lead
organization for the New Communities Program (NCP)." Having these
conversations allowed for them to build relationships and become aware of
the community assets that can build the community from within and expand out. When
schools build partnerships in community it allows the teachers to expand the
knowledge about the resources to the families who will benefit the most. In the
end everyone will benefit from the combined relationships.
Why is it
important to do this in every community? Why would we not try this in St.
Louis? How can we as future social workers who will be working in the community
initiate these positive goals? How we begin these lasting relationships that
will benefit all and really they all start from within.
An ongoing theme concerning effective community based initiative programs has been listening, building relationships, and then helping community members recognize their strengths so they can create change. Schools are so overwhelmed today with maintaining their accreditation along with budgetary constraints that community involvement is becoming critical for their success. I believe more schools need to become aware of the reciprocal benefits of community partnership programs.
ReplyDeleteCheri
The collaboration between school and community is vital for optimal success of both. Strong families make and encourage strong individuals who build asset based communities, it's a joint effort. As social workers we must educate individuals, families, schools, and communities on the importance of working together for the benefit of all involved.
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