NASBE’s Latest Standard Explores How School-Community Partnerships Drive Student Success

Alexandria, VA – Authors in the latest issue of NASBE’s State Education Standard suggest myriad ways in which communities can be force multipliers for ensuring that all children are engaged in learning and prepared to thrive as adults. Articles in this issue examine the roles of students, families, business leaders, tribal leaders, out-of-schooltime providers, and other community nonprofits in supporting preK-12 education systems. And they offer strategies for state leaders to foster productive partnerships that can drive progress in education.

One approach, community schools, mobilizes state and local resources to improve a range of student outcomes in schools with the highest needs. Anna Maier from the Learning Policy Institute lays out the landscape of community schools and the supporting evidence of their impact. NASBE’s Joseph Hedger and Celina Pierrottet dive into California’s substantial commitment to community schools, while José Muñoz, executive director of the Education Commission of the States, shares insights on what it takes to successfully launch community schools.

The chair of the Tennessee State Board of Education, Robert Eby, outlines a set of state board tasks to better align the preK-12 system with projected business needs. He draws from Tennessee’s experience convening business leaders and policymakers to address talent gaps and build the pipeline for a skilled workforce.

Reyna Hernandez and colleagues from the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement emphasize the importance of family engagement in student success. They propose eight strategies to enhance family involvement and offer recommendations on how state boards can champion effective practices across their states.

This issue also highlights the contributions of local organizations serving children, particularly in high-need areas. Jodi Grant, who leads the Afterschool Alliance, urges states to tap into these community organizations to help close education opportunity gaps. With federal funds that have supported many of these organizations in recent years expiring, she offers recommendations for states to help sustain this crucial part of the education ecosystem.

Jennifer Bronson of Accelerate and Jennifer Krajewski of Proven Tutoring suggest that a key role for community organizations can be offering high-dosage tutoring, a proven strategy many districts and schools have used to help students catch up to grade-level learning following the pandemic.

Bill Kallappa, chair of the Washington state board, shares how local and tribal governments in his state have built relationships over time in response to a state law requiring all students to learn tribal history.

The issue also features a reflective piece by former California student board member Naomi Porter, who underscores the importance of student involvement in educational decision making and urges state boards to engage with students regularly on student-friendly platforms.

Read the winter 2025 issue of The Standard “Connecting Schools and Communities.”

NASBE serves as the only membership organization for state boards of education. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, NASBE elevates state board members’ voices in national and state policymaking, facilitates the exchange of informed ideas, and supports members in advancing equity and excellence in public education for students of all races, genders, and circumstances. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.

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