Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1541528
shared governance component is crucial to their success, and our union has been diligent across the state in fighting to get school district administrators to embrace this critical collaboration. As Community Schools Coordinator Clarisa Elmore said at the press confer- ence, held at Encanto Elementary (one of 35 community schools in the San Diego Unified School District), "Being a com- munity school means inviting parents to the table — not just as participants, but as thought partners and leaders." CTA & Community Schools Our union is committed to helping grow and support California's community schools, in partnership with the state, school districts, students, families and communities. Read more of our coverage of CTA and members' work, and find information and resources, at cta.org/communityschools. Community Schools' Effects This chart shows the gains made by historically underserved students at community schools in CCSPP's first cohort in the first year. Outcomes are shown by student group (all students, Black students, English learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged). Major Findings of the LPI Report The LPI report shows how California's investment in community schools has significantly impacted student attendance, reduced suspension rates in schools and increased academic achievement scores, especially for students who have been historically underserved including Black students, English learners, and students from low-income backgrounds. Major findings: • Compared to matched comparison schools, community schools' chronic absence rates dropped by 30%, suspension rates fell by 15% and academic achievement rose. • Black students and English learners saw gains equivalent to about 43 extra days of learning in math and 36 in English language arts. • The strongest academic improvements occurred in schools with the greatest progress in attendance. • Results suggest that community schools' holistic approach can reduce educational inequities and improve multiple student outcomes. " The early results from the first cohort of schools served by the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) are promising," said Walker Swain, a principal researcher at LPI and lead author of the new report. "In just the first full year of implementation, CCSPP schools noticeably outperformed similar schools that did not receive grant funding, making significant reductions in chronic absence and suspension rates, along with improvements in student achievement; especially for historically underserved students. "Our results echo findings from a similar RAND study of New York City community schools, where larger gains unfolded over a longer period of time. Together, these studies suggest community schools are a scalable tool for addressing educational inequalities and promoting deeper learning." For the full report, visit learningpolicyinstitute.org. C O M M U N I T Y S C H O O L S Credit: Learning Policy Institute "At a time when public education is under attack at the federal level, in California we are investing in models that work and organizing together for the schools our students deserve." —CTA President David Goldberg Next page: Pittsburg's Community Schools honored 36 cta.org Feature