LAUSD begins community schools pilot

On November 2, L.A. Unified hosted its second convening at Panorama High School of 18 schools participating in the Community Schools pilot. The teams dove into the process of developing a community needs and assets assessment as a critical step in adopting the Community Schools model, a strategy aimed to increase parent engagement, broaden curriculum and implement wraparound services.

At a kick off convening on September 21 at Wilson High School, over 200 school and community stakeholders learned about the history of community schooling and four key pillars of the model:

• Integrated student supports
• Expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities
• Active family and community engagement
• Collaborative leadership and practices

Each of the schools has hired a full time Community Schools Coordinator to lead the school in conducting a needs and assets assessment, developing and implementing a plan for broad stakeholder engagement, determining school priorities and managing partnerships to advance student success goals.

L.A. Unified will recruit an additional 20 schools to participate in a second cohort in the spring of 2020.