Supporting the designation of the week of September 17 through September 23, 2023, as "Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week".

Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week Whereas community schools marshal, align, and unite the assets, resources, and capacity of schools and communities for the success of students, families, and communities; Whereas community schools are an effective, evidence-based, and equity-driven strategy for school improvement included under section 4625 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7275 Public Law 114–95 Whereas community schools that provide integrated student supports, well-designed and expanded learning opportunities, and active family and community engagement and that use collaborative leadership and practices have positive academic and nonacademic outcomes, including— (1) improvements in student attendance, behavior, academic achievement, school readiness, and mental and physical health, high school graduation rates, and school climate; and (2) reduced racial and economic achievement gaps; Whereas community schools have the potential to close racial and economic achievement gaps, as indicated in a 2021 report; Whereas a 2023 report found that mental health care provided through community schools improves access to care and improved academic performance and student conduct, including reducing the number of school suspensions and disciplinary referrals; Whereas a 2022 study found that community schools had a positive impact on student attendance, on-time grade progression, and credit accumulation for high school students, with the investment in these schools being important to underprivileged areas; Whereas a 2022 report found that Chicago’s community schools led to an increase in parent engagement and trust between children’s families and their schools; Whereas community schools provide a strong social return on investment, with one study citing a social return of between $10 to $15 for every dollar invested over a 3-year period; Whereas community school coordinators are essential to building successful community schools and creating, strengthening, and maintaining partnerships between community schools and their communities; Whereas community school coordinators facilitate and provide leadership for the collaborative process and development of a system of supports and opportunities for children, families, and others within a school’s community that allow all students to learn and the community to thrive; Whereas community school coordinators, through their role, deliver a strong monetary return on investment for community schools and their communities, with one study citing a return of $7.11 for every dollar invested in the salary of a community school coordinator; and Whereas Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week, celebrated from September 17 through September 23, 2023, recognizes, raises awareness of, and celebrates the thousands of community school coordinators across the country and the critical role of community school coordinators in the success of students: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week (2) thanks community school coordinators for the work they do to serve students, families, and communities; and (3) encourages students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in events that celebrate Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week.

Summary: This resolution supports the designation of Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week.