Community schools have shown promising gains for students in the areas of student attendance, academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. However, little scholarship has addressed the experiences of these schools and their stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic. To determine how community school programs were impacted by the…

This study examines the potential of community schools to revolutionize the educational landscape by creating a more impactful and locally tailored ecosystem. Through Action Research methodology, the research explores how deep community engagement can reshape educational experiences, focusing on the Flexible Pathways Initiative that empowers…

This dissertation examines parents and teachers' perceptions of effective parental involvement in education, situated within Epstein et al.'s (2009) framework of six typologies of parental participation. The study, through a comprehensive comparative analysis, reveals critical insights into the disparities and commonalities in how parents and…

Chronic absenteeism is a critical predictor for student achievement and high school graduation rates and helps to identify at-risk students. It is a significant challenge in the NYC public school system, driving inequitable outcomes for marginalized students. Since 2014, NYC public schools have used the community school model as an equity…

One of the greatest contributors to a student's success in K-12 education is the effectiveness of their teachers and, consequently, teacher retention. Unfortunately, teacher turnover rates have increased substantially since 2015, with the majority of teachers leaving for reasons that do not include retirement. Teachers who are more satisfied with…

This study explored the role of Equity Leadership in implementing the Community School Policy Framework in California, focusing on addressing systemic inequities. Using a qualitative approach, this research drew on six in-depth interviews with public sector leaders in the California Community School Partnership Program (CCSPP). Findings…

The community school strategy was first introduced in Baltimore City in 2012. Community schools are public elementary or secondary schools that provide comprehensive academic, social, and health services for students, families, and community members (U.S. Department of Education, 2023). In 2021, the state of Maryland made a substantial commitment…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore caregiver experiences at a community elementary school in suburban Wisconsin. The community school strategy aims to ensure all students flourish in thriving school communities, establishing partnerships among school staff, caregivers, and the community (Community Schools Forward, 2023). Given…

The purpose of this case study is to examine how cross-sector partnerships can be used to support successful and sustainable Community School efforts. The Community School model is an increasingly popular school improvement and school turnaround strategy that depends on the support of a wide range of community partners. Two research questions are…

This dissertation had two purposes: (1) to create and document the development of a new music achievement test entitled the Musical Discrimination and Styles Task (MDAST), and (2) to describe the strength of the evidence supporting the validity and reliability of this new developmentally appropriate music aptitude and achievement instrument. I…

School communities have been shut out of many of the more critical decision-making processes impacting local public schools. Decisions are mostly made as top-down actions from federal mandates, general assemblies, state departments, districts, and school level administration teams, isolating the school communities they are tasked to serve.…

Many school districts, particularly in inner-city communities, face numerous barriers to students' academic success. Unfortunately, the school paradigm is not constructed to address the glaring social/emotional conditions affecting millions of children (Anderson-Butcher et al., 2017). As a result, educators and social reformers have urged school…

Community schools are a national initiative gaining traction due to the recent identification of the community school model as an evidence-based approach to education that satisfies requirements set forth by the Every Student Succeeds Act. The community school model centers around four pillars: integrated student support, extended and enriched…

This research explores the systemic and structural barriers affecting the effectiveness of community schools, particularly in providing mental health services and support, with a specific focus on how principals have responded to these needs in the post-COVID-19 era. Employing qualitative methods, including focus groups with principals from…

A student's sense of understanding is extremely important as it relates to school inclusion, connectedness, and overall success. However African American and Latino students, who are subjected to higher rates of school removal than other student populations, are placed in alternative settings, and as a result, experience difficulty reintegrating…