Forge Partnerships to Provide Additional Services to Schools
Additional learning time has been a proven way to help struggling students; studies say some students lose up to 40% of their learning over summer break; subjects like art, music and history are shortchanged in place of test-taking. With a tight budget and unable to extend the school day or school year, the federal government should work to form efficient and productive partnerships with non-profits and NGO\’s who have funding and expertise of their own.
We should be leveraging the skills and focus of these experts and create an infrastructure where organizations can work with school systems to help create after-school programs, summer school and supplementary art programs. Money is not the only answer to overburdened schools - effective partnerships, motivated people and opportunities for students to get one-on-one attention can help learners performing at all levels. Centennial Place Elementary School in Atlanta is one example of a poor urban school that is thriving in large part due to smart partnerships with local universities and corporations; Dave Eggers\’ 826 Valenica writing and tutoring project illustrates that there are literally thousands of talented people willing (and excited!) to devote their time to students and schools when given an opportunity to do so.
We need a President who will think strategically and creatively about what we can collectively do to strengthen our schools; someone who will foster an environment where all capable people interested in help our youth and our nation are encouraged to do so. It takes a village.
This post was submitted by amanda.
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