After-School, Community Schools and

Mentoring: Perspectives on Theory,

Practice and Policy

Jane QuinnAssistant Executive Director for Community

SchoolsThe Children’s Aid Society

How Are They Connected? Strong theory under all three Share some of the same theory

(especially resilience) All have good empirical studies that

support their wider implementation All require quality implementation Secret ingredient = relationships

Key Delivery Differences Mentoring is generally offered on a

one-to-one basis After-school is generally offered in

small groups Community schools is generally

offered on a school-wide basis

Mentoring: Some Perspectives Big Brothers Big Sisters program has

the longest history (90+ years) and make-the-case research, conducted by Public/Private Ventures

Other programs seek to learn from and emulate BBBS quality standards, which include volunteer recruitment, orientation, training and supervision

Mentoring: More Thoughts Variations on a theme include

community-based and school-based programs

Promising new results from P/PV study of school-based programs, using college and high school students as mentors to address volunteer recruitment challenges

Mentoring: Results to Date

P/PV study (1995) found that mentored youth:

Were less likely to start using drugs and alcohol

Were less likely to hit someone Improved school attendance,

performance and attitudes Improved peer and family relationships

Caveats from P/PV Study Did not show that mentoring as a

generic idea is effective Quality implementation matters Dosage makes a difference (weekly,

multi-hour meetings over a year) Did not show long-term effects Not cost-free

Other Lessons to Consider Marc Freedman warns about

“fervor without infrastructure” Gary Walker (2000) warns that “its

easy attractiveness belies the effort and structure that makes it work.”

However…

Strong Support for Expansion

Gary Walker notes:…”Mentoring is like finding a gusher or

having invested in America Online at the beginning: we should applaud its success, and use it for all its worth. For mentoring is both a discrete program and a broader idea—that individual change and progress is fundamentally about having other individuals care, support, tend to and guide on a one-to-one basis. There is no substitute.”

Mentoring as a Broader Idea Mentoring can be incorporated into

after-school and community school programs

This approach is recommended by both Freedman, Walker and others

Fully consistent with Positive Youth Development theory (adults, assets, agents)

Perspectives on After-School Amazing growth of a field over 15

years Equally amazing growth of

knowledge base Theoretical studies—Reginald Clark,

Chapin Hall, Carnegie Empirical studies on results—

Vandell, Reisner, McLaughlin, Others

Quick Summary of Research Multiple benefits from young

people’s participation in high quality programs

Benefits include academic, social, emotional, physical, moral/character

Dosage makes a difference Quality implementation makes a

difference Importance of qualified staff

Other Key Ideas about AS Importance of voice and choice Voluntary participation Enrichment (exposure, experience,

engagement) Don’t forget summer—think OST Twin pillars of quality—process

(staff) and content (curricula)

National Movement 21st Century CLC funding gave big

boost ($1 M. to $1 B. over five years)

After-School Alliance fostering national advocacy

NIOST, NAA and Foundations fostering national excellence in practice (conferences, materials)

C-BASS fostering systemic learning

Perspectives on Community Schools

Three definitions: Coalition for Community Schools Cocktail party definition Developmental triangle

What is a Community School? A community school is both a place

and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, services, supports and opportunities leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. (From Coalition for CS)

A Second Definition…

A Community School is Characterized by:

Extended Services Extended Hours Extended Relationships (“swinging

door”)

Developmental Triangle

core

inst

ruct

iona

l pro

gram

enrichment – educational &

cultural

removing barriers to learning & development

• health• dental

• mental health• social services

Several well-known models: Beacons Bridges to Success Children’s Aid Society Community Schools Communities in Schools Healthy Start Polk Brothers Full-Service Schools Schools of the 21st Century (Yale) WEPIC (University of Pennsylvania)

Research Base Making the Most of

Non-school Time Reginald Clark Milbrey McLaughin Deborah Vandell

Enrichment & Developmental Domains Resiliency theory James Comer

Parents’ Active Role Epstein &

Henderson Epstein – middle

school findings Coordinated Services Caring Adults in

Child’s Life Fritz Ianni Jacquelyn Eccles

Key Ingredients of Many CS Education First Lead Agency as Partner, Not Tenant Full-Time Presence of Lead Agency Joint Planning (Particularly between

Principal and CS Director) Integration of Partner Staff into

Governance and Decision-Making Bodies (e.g., School Leadership Team)

Key Program Components After-School and Summer Enrichment Parent Involvement Adult Education Medical, Dental, Mental Health and

Social Services Early Childhood Community and Economic

Development

CCS Research Report ‘09 New report from Coalition for

Community Schools summarizes latest research

Key results include improved academic performance, improved attendance, higher graduation rates, improved behavior, positive youth development, greater parental involvement

National Movement

National Coalition for Community Schools founded in 1998

21st Century CLC program grows from $1 million to $1 billion over five years

Rep. Steny Hoyer sponsoring full-service schools legislation

Several cities/districts go “to scale” New Federal grants program (2008)

National Movement Part II ASCD Commission focuses on “whole child” Bolder, Broader Approach to Education

statement supports CS components Community Agenda for America’s Public

Schools gains 125 prominent endorsers AFT President Randi Weingarten speaks out

in favor of Community Schools U.S. Secretary of Education publicly

supports community schools in Education Daily (3/25) and on Charlie Rose Show (3/16)

Current Opportunities Arne Duncan to John Merrow: “If

it’s good for kids, we’re going to do more of it…”

New service funds can support expansion in all three arenas

ARRA Innovations Fund and State Incentive grants also hold promise

In Conclusion… Great time to be working in this field One field or three? Importance of building on the best

available knowledge Importance of identifying policy

levers No substitute for quality

implementation