Project 1

The “let’s collaborate to make community schools the norm” project

If all the players work together, we may help turn all schools into community schools through collaboration and the strategic use of data and technology. This starts with joining or creating a countywide and statewide network of community school programs. This will allow you to have a strong voice in your school community, as well as your city, county and state government. You may find that local lawmakers, while sympathetic to the issues, do not see addressing traumatized students who struggle at school as the role of county or city government. For this reason, coalitions matter and they can be a force for awareness.

Your county and state network can educate local lawmakers about a new role for government: ensuring no student is marginalized. This is done through partnerships between school districts and local government. This group can also work to elect officials who will prioritize success for all students. Technology can connect everyone in the network with a shared vision, goals, activities, use of data, use of communication and messaging and evaluation processes. Your action team starts with identifying all current community schools and those wishing to become one.

Deliverables: Find some passionate change agents and conduct informational interviews with sector stakeholders to assess interest in a county or state coalition. Assess the data-driven and result-focused quality of current coalitions. Create a one-pager to present to your 100% New Mexico team and school stakeholders on your initial findings. (Suggested time frame: 3 months)