Community Scaffold Argumentative Essay

INNOVATIVE, PRACTICAL, SUCCESSFUL

A program of The Baby Fold in cooperation with local schools that:

• Serves kids

• Involves parents

• Collaborates among existing resources

• Produces verifiable results

Community Schools are designed around three goals:

1.) Align out-of-school time with classroom learning

2.) Bring communities, families, and schools together

3.) Coordinate resources for children and families

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS defined: A Baby Fold employee becomes an in-school resource person who serves students and their families – working specifically with the needs of the students – integrating with the principal, social worker, and teachers to provide help, referrals, and support that build school success today. Community Schools

It is a national model, but its specifics are locally determined. No matter what activities it undertakes, it acts on facts. As well-known philanthropist Melissa Gates affirms: “I like data, because data tells us where to go and how to act.”

Here are some data that have guided The Baby Fold and its local partners:

1. Since 1999 the low-income population of School District Unit #5 has increased from 16% to more than 30%. (See the Illinois School Report Card website for eye-opening information on overall school performance in Illinois as well as performance indicators for each school district and individual local schools.)

2. The 2014 Community Assessment Study by the McLean County United Way showed that collaboration and cooperation among agencies/service providers was the number one community need.

3. Additionally, the Community Assessment Study showed that we are rich in resources but poor in awareness of those resources and how to access them.

And here are some pertinent facts from the 2016 report of COMMUNTY SCHOOLS work at Fairview Elementary, a school with a 49% rate of low income

Seven certified teachers lead the students in 16 weeks of enrichment; sessions met twice weekly for one hour per session. Students focused their time on building skills in reading and math.

RESULTS: The students that participated in the after-school enrichment program had an average RIT range score increase of 20.6 points on their MAP scores in the reading category and 22.2 points on their MAP scores in the math category. The students also self-reported increased confidence and understanding in reading and math. (RIT is a normative scale providing consistent measure of instructional growth; MAP refers to Measure of Academic Progress.)

PRINCIPAL LORI HARRISON HAS THIS TO SAY: “With the support of COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Program we can meet more of the diverse needs of our students and their families, resulting in improved learning and culture, as well as stronger partnerships with the families. The COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Program bridges gaps in socioeconomic status, supports student learning provides family events, and promotes a positive culture and learning. Any school would benefit from this program and we are thankful that Fairview is one of the lucky ones.”

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AT WORK: A