Community Schools Research
Evidence of Effectiveness: The Research
The New York City Community Schools Model is based on a strong and diverse evidence base, and ongoing research continues to inform, evaluate, and improve the process.
There is a strong and diverse evidence base for the NYC Community School model. A NYC Department of Education
(DOE) review of over 20 national studies found that Community Schools have positive impacts on academic achievement,
graduation rates, post-secondary outcomes, attendance and attitudes towards school. Additionally, research
has shown the following results:
Community Schools see greater parent involvement and reduced student absenteeism, and consistent school attendance is strongly tied to academic improvement at all grade levels.
Increasing parent engagement is proven to increase academic outcomes for students.
Increased instructional time—measured as the time students are engaged in learning—along with tutoring and high expectations, are strong predictors of higher achievement.
Higher teacher attendance and job satisfaction have been observed in Community Schools.
Community Schools are an efficient strategy, demonstrating a strong return on public investment.
For more information, read our Strategic Plan
Publications On The Benefits of Community Schools
Rand Corporation
Illustrating the Promise of Community Schools
January 2020 - Rand Corporation
RAND Corporation reports that students in NYC Community Schools are more likely to:
Graduate on time
Miss fewer days of school
Feel safer and supported
Learning Policy Institute & National Education Policy Center
Community Schools as an Effective School Improvement Strategy: A Review of the Evidence
December 2017 - Learning Policy Institute & National Education Policy Center
Gives an overview for policy makers on the efficacy of community schools, their implementation, and connection to the Every Student Succeeds Act
Learning Policy Institute
Restarting and Reinventing School: Learning in the Time of COVID and Beyond
August 2020 - Learning Policy Institute
Highlights the challenges schools face, during the COVID-19 pandemic
Provides policy recommendations/solutions to the challenges faced
Many of the set forth solutions, are followed by the current CS Strategy
Publications On The Implementation of Community Schools
Partnership for the Future of Learning
Community Schools Playbook
August 2018 - Partnership for the Future of Learning
Addresses the overview of Community Schools, their structure, benefits, and importance
Learning Policy Institute
Leveraging Resources Through Community Schools: The Role of Technical Assistance
July, 2020 - Learning Policy Institute
Explores how Community Schools in two California counties embrace the "whole child" approach
Finds evidence of cross sector partnerships that efficiently integrate within schools
Rand Corporation
Developing Community Schools at Scale: Implementation Report
2017 - RAND Corporation
An analysis conducted focusing on the implementation strategies of community schools in New York City
LPI and NEPC
Research Brief
December 2017 - LPI & NEPC
The brief synthesizes the research evidence about the impact of community schools on both student and school outcomes
Other Publications
Partnerships for the Future of Learning
Attendance Works and the Everyone Graduates Center
Data Matters Using Chronic Absence to Accelerate Action for Student Success
September 2018 - Attendance Works and the Everyone Graduates Center
This report highlights the problem with chronic absenteeism within schools
2018_aspen_final-report_full_webversion.pdfAspen Institute
From a Nation at Risk To A Nation At Hope: Recommendations from the National Commission on Social, Emotional, & Academic Development
January 2019 - Aspen Institute
This report highlights the benefits of socio-emotional learning, how it can be further implemented across the country, and the implications of it in the future
New York City Independent Budget Office
Not Reaching the Door: Homeless Students Face Many Hurdles on the Way to School
October 2016 - New York City Independent Budget Office
This report highlights the challenges students in temporary housing face when attempting to go to school
The Hamilton Project
Lessons for Broadening School Accountability under the Every Student Succeeds Act
October 2016 - The Hamilton Project
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires states to add at least one measure of "school quality or student success" to its statewide accountability system.
The report proposes states to adopt chronic absenteeism as their measure of school quality or student success.
Institute for Children Poverty and Homelessness
Empty Seats: The Epidemic of Absenteeism Among Homeless Elementary Students
November 2015 - Institute for Children Poverty and Homelessness
This brief focuses on the issues of absenteeism that particularly impact homeless elementary school students
Other Information
The Research Advisory Council
Consists of the nation's top experts in the fields of community development, urban youth, education, and chronic absenteeism.
LEARN ABOUT THE RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL
