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The Federation for Community Schools prioritizes advocacy that sustains and expands community schools. We endorse legislation that promotes innovative collaborations and strengthens partnerships between community-based organizations, school administration, educators, parents and students. We endorse efforts that seek to empower parents and guardians as advocates for their children and as partners in decisions about their children’s education. Lastly, we believe that responsibility for student success extends beyond education agencies and school districts, and we will work to break down silos that exist at all levels of government.
The Federation for Community Schools prioritizes advocacy that sustains and expands community schools. We endorse legislation that promotes innovative collaborations and strengthens partnerships between community-based organizations, school administration, educators, parents and students. We endorse efforts that seek to empower parents and guardians as advocates for their children and as partners in decisions about their children’s education. Lastly, we believe that responsibility for student success extends beyond education agencies and school districts, and we will work to break down silos that exist at all levels of government.
To read our 2011 - 2012 Legislative Agenda please click here.
Community Schools & CPS' Full School Day Initiative
We recently released a policy brief that outlines the importance of community schools and community-based providers as part of a full school day. We highlight the ways in which community schools are already extending learning time and engaging parents and families, and outline why it is critical that community school partners continue to receive funding through programs like 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
Read Community Schools as a Model for Extending Learning .
Adding Community Schools to the School Code
In 2009, the Federation helped make made Illinois the first state to codify community schools into their state school code through Public Act 96-0746. The act amends the Illinois School Code by establishing community schools as a legitimate and standardized innovative strategy for Illinois schools to implement and seek funds, when available, to address student academic success as well as parental and community engagement at the school. By formalizing, building on, and providing a structure to the existing community school oversight and expansion, Illinois is poised to take full advantage of federal stimulus funds. Click here to read the testimony we offered in support of this act.
Elev8 Goes to Washington
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Elev8 Chicago students meeting with Senator Durbin's office |
Last week, 10 students from Elev8 Chicago joined students from Elev8 initiatives in Baltimore, Oakland and New Mexico in Washington, D.C. The students were in Washington for 4 days to build their advocacy skills, to advocate for Elev8 and other important issues and to do a little sight-seeing. The Elev8 Chicago students met with staff members from Rep. Gutierrez's office, Rep. Lipinski's office and Rep. Rush's office. In addition, the students had a very special opportunity to meet with the U.S. Department of Education, including staff from the offices of Elementary and Secondary Education, Innovation and Improvement, and Vocational and Adult Education, among others. At that meeting the students spoke with Department staff about the importance of community school programs like Elev8 as well as the impact bullying, neighborhood violence and turnarounds have on learning. The Mikva Challenge, an Elev8 Chicago partner, led the advocacy training. The students look forward to more opportunities to advocate for their schools and communities.
The Federation & Elev8 Chicago Oppose the FY13 Human Resources Budget
On Thursday, April 19, the Illinois House of Representatives' Appropriations - Human Services Committee held a committee hearing to discuss the Department of Human Services budget. The Federation and Elev8 Chicago voiced our opposition to the FY13 proposed budget because the proposed cuts in funding and changes to programs will negatively impact many community school partners, and ultimately hurt the very people these programs are supposed to help. We are particularly concerned about the effect proposed cuts to Teen REACH and changes to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and childcare subsidied will have on students and families.
Read the testimony the Federation and Elev8 Chicago submitted to the House Appropriations - Human Services Committee
Elev8 Chicago Students Bring their Concerns to the State Capitol
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Ames students on Senate floor |
On March 23, two busloads of students, drawn from five Elev8 Chicago schools, traveled to Springfield, IL, to share their policy concerns and priorities with state lawmakers, focusing much of their time on issues related to community safety.
Delegations from each school went to see senators and representatives from their respective districts. Four young men from Reavis Elementary School had a long talk with Senator Kwame Raoul, covering such topics as neighborhood safety, basketball, and the Trayvon Martin case. Students from Perspectives-Calumet Middle School and Marquette Elementary School took photos with Senator Jackie Collins, who asked the students questions about their lives, school and favorite subjects. And ten girls from Orozco Community Academy met briefly with Senator Antonio Munoz, about the work that the girls have been doing related to safety in their school and community.
Students also spoke briefly with Senator Steans and Representatives Kenneth Dunkin and Cynthia Soto. Finally, students from Ames Middle School had a lengthy meeting with Senator Martin Sandoval, who invited them into his office and discussed the path he took to become a senator. He told the students that education is the best way to be successful and encouraged them to ask questions about his life and work. The students shared their concerns about their community and even got a private tour of the Senate floor - where, as the Senator said to them, "you can someday be sitting."
Elev8 Chicago and the Mikva Challenge are planning another advocacy trip later this month-this time to Washington, DC. The trip will bring together youth from Elev8 programs in Chicago, Baltimore, Oakland and New Mexico to share their concerns and recommendations with federal policymakers, building on local- and state-level advocacy they have engaged in throughout the year.
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