In 1996, the Polk Bros. Foundation launched the Full Service Schools Initiative (FSSI) to tackle barriers to student success in Chicago public schools and increase the involvement of parents in their children’s education. Mindful of research showing that a child’s success in school is profoundly affected by non-academic factors such as health problems, language barriers and family and community issues, FSSI funded the coordination of in- and after-school programs offered to children and families at three Chicago public elementary schools. Grants were made over several years enabling each school to partner with a nonprofit organization and offer programs including academic enrichment activities, adult education, English as a Second Language classes, technology training, art activities, recreation and health services.
The positive impact made on student learning, teacher and parent involvement and school climate spurred the Foundation to play a lead role in forming the Chicago Campaign to Expand Community Schools in 2002. The Campaign is a partnership between the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and private foundations and corporations, seeking to create 100 full service schools (now called community schools) by 2007. Contributions from more than 15 foundations and corporations were matched by CPS to fund 16 community schools during 2002-03 and an additional 22 community schools during 2003-04.
In 2004, CPS formally endorsed the community schools framework that we tested in FSSI and the Campaign subsequently adopted. CPS is working with the Campaign to ensure that all of the 55 CPS community schools, regardless of the sources of their funding, receive the same high quality professional development and on-site technical assistance. The Foundation is proud to partner with the Chicago Public Schools and our corporate and foundation colleagues in this important venture. Chicago is the first city to undertake this work on such a grand scale and our efforts are providing a national model for other cities seeking to do so.
Related links:
www.chicagocommunityschools.org
Evaluation of the Full Service Schools Initiative
Executive Summary
Federation for Community Schools: www.ilcommunityschools.org