Connecting Families, Schools, & Communities

Many people agree that the current federal education law No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is broken, but Congress is having trouble agreeing on how to fix it. These next few months are seen as the crucial window for updating this troubled law during President Obama’s tenure. IEL and its Coalition for Community Schools are working […]

Every day, teachers—especially those in our poorest communities—are asked to address their students’ multiple out-of-school needs, including healthcare, social support, housing, and nutrition, while still achieving high academic success. Thankfully, many teachers no longer need to stand alone. IEL’s Coalition for Community Schools recently sat down with Menlo Park Elementary School Principal Kellie Burkhardt and

IEL’s Coalition for Community Schools organized a study tour for 25 Capitol Hill, executive branch, and association staffers to Baltimore to learn about the city’s community school strategy and how it is driving outcomes for young people, families, and communities.The tour highlighted key stakeholders: Family League of Baltimore, Baltimore City Public Schools, and Elev8 Baltimore.

Increasingly community and parent organizations have organized to advocate for education reform, including Journey for Justice Alliance led by Jitu Brown. Born on Chicago’s south side and a product of its public schools, Brown has organized the Kenwood Oakland neighborhood for 17+ years, bringing community voices to the table on school issues. Says Brown, “We are organizing in