Partnership with Families and Communities

“Partnerships in education” refers to relationships which connect schools and individuals or groups in the community such as theater groups, health care services, child care services, athletic teams, local human service agencies, business, labor, and industry. Examples of partnerships include:

• parent participation in the school;
• linking a child with a mentor such as a local painter, scientist, or truck driver;
• creating relationships with special interest groups, local businesses, or industries; and
• industry sponsorship of specific school activities.

Partnerships in education build bridges from the school to the community and from the community to the school. Partnerships are a two-way, interactive process of active collaboration and communication. As children interact with the people, places, and things in their immediate community and beyond, they extend their horizons and develop the attitudes, dispositions, skills, and knowledge they need to become effective citizens. Partnerships can include bringing people and resources from the community into the school or taking children into the community.

Partnerships benefit both the school and the community. These include:

• extending the boundaries of learning;
• developing mutual understanding of the school and community needs; and
• involving educators and the community in common goals and schools and communities working together towards meeting future needs.

As we extend the number and type of these partnerships for children, we build important bridges from the school to the community and to the world. In this way, we improve the quality of life for children so they are able to make effective transitions to the future.