Steve is Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Virginia Tech. He also is a consultant and trainer in the fields of community education, educational partnerships, and education reform. Further, the book profiles sites at which various components of the vision have already been set in motion. And it provides guidelines for implementation developed from real experiences at real schools. Our schools need new ways to think about and foster family and community involvement in education.
Community schools provide a viable way to improve schools and build effective learning communities.
This helpful booklet provides a clear and concise overview of community schools for policymakers, community leaders, and advisory groups. With the context and direction provided by a strategic plan, staff can exercise the judgement and make the decisions necessary to achieve long-range goals. This monograph outlines a simple approach for analyzing needs and developing a strategic plan that meets today's seemingly endless demands on time and resources. Some poor parents do experience unspeakable hardships, but the faith and determination of many have enabled them to overcome enormous obstacles to achievement. This publication brings together ideas, techniques, and designs that have been proven successful by planners of school community centers nationwide.