Strengthening Schools Through Community Collaboration: Brigitte Blom Emphasizes Success for Students
In Kentucky, a groundbreaking campaign called Strong Schools, Powerful Partnerships is transforming the education landscape. Led by the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, this initiative is part of the broader Groundswell Initiative and highlights inspiring school-community collaborations in 20 districts across the state.
The campaign's message is clear: Strong Schools. Powerful Partnerships. Real Results. By forging partnerships with local communities and families, schools in Covington, Dayton, and other districts are achieving measurable outcomes that go beyond academic success.
In Scott County, Georgetown College students and Scott County Schools collaborate, resulting in 100% of participating students at Garth Elementary improving their math scores from pre-assessment, and 83% of students enrolled in the Buffalo Learning Lab showing growth in their math and reading assessments. Similarly, in Shelby County, students' Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) scores increased by 79% through expanded learning time with the Baptist Church.
In Danville, Centre College's CentreWorks community partnership program collaborates with the school system, offering mentoring, guidance, and free afterschool programming. This collaboration has led to improvements in students' grades, attendance, and behaviour.
The campaign also supports the creation of 'community schools', where schools serve as hubs that engage families and community partners in supporting student success. In Paducah, community schools directors launched engagement sessions that brought together local industry leaders to identify points of contact and strengthen relationships that benefit both education and local business.
The Prichard Committee provides toolkits and resources to empower families, schools, and community leaders to cultivate strong partnerships. These resources promote leadership development and community-driven local impact, and are part of a statewide movement to improve Kentucky’s education system collaboratively.
Brigitte Blom, the president and CEO of the Prichard Committee, emphasises the importance of this collaborative approach. "Kentucky is leading in demonstrating how strong schools and deep community partnerships are delivering results," she says.
Through a federal grant secured by the Prichard Committee, local education and community leaders are taking an innovative approach to improving student outcomes such as attendance, behaviour, and achievement by maximising external resources. In Hopkins County, middle and high school students received visual art instruction and strategies for coping with mental health issues, leading to a 65% increase in grades, attendance, and behaviour at Madison North High School and Browning Springs Middle School.
The Strong Schools, Powerful Partnerships campaign is not just about academic success. It's about creating a dynamic future for Kentucky's students by supporting community-aligned learning goals. By connecting schools with businesses, families, and community organisations, educators can refocus on teaching, while students benefit from a holistic education that prepares them for the future.
For more information about The Kentucky Effect and Groundswell, and how one's involvement matters, visit www.prichardcommittee.org. Kentucky is setting an example for the nation, demonstrating that strong schools and deep community partnerships can deliver real results.
- The Prichard Committee, leading Kentucky's Strong Schools, Powerful Partnerships campaign, is collaborating with local communities and families to deliver real results in education.
- In Covington,Dayton, and other districts, schools are achieving measurable outcomes due to partnerships with local communities and families.
- By connecting schools with businesses, families, and community organizations, educators can refocus on teaching, while students benefit from a holistic education that promotes personal growth and learning.
- Georgetown College students and Scott County Schools have partnered to improve math scores at Garth Elementary and Buffalo Learning Lab.
- In Paducah, community schools are engaging families and community partners to support student success and strengthen relationships that benefit both education and local business.
- The Prichard Committee's campaign supports the creation of 'community schools' that provide education-and-self-development opportunities, including arts and mental health strategies, to improve attendance, behavior, and achievement.
