Our Impact
We design for impact
Our collaborative approach is focused on building sustainable leadership capacity that outlasts our presence; and bringing multiple IEL resources to bear in targeted geographic communities allows us to deepen our impact.
Improved and more inclusive decision-making processes, systems and practices that ensure that all voices, particularly those of marginalized groups, are elevated and heard.
Increased number of leaders who can create and support policies that lead to more equitable opportunities and access.
Increased development and quality execution of equity-centered policies and practices that improve long-term life chances of people in our partner communities.
Improved access to quality educational and workforce resources for children, youth, and families.
Here's what our partners are saying...
Key Performance Indicators
Networks
IEL collects information from our program and convening participants to better understand the reach and expansion of programming. A total of 5,612 participants who shared their location with us. California had the most representation, with a total of 954 participants who participated in either an IEL program or one of the convenings.
IEL had nine active networks in FY24:
- We hosted 29 network meetings, sessions, and webinars in FY24
- 90% of members were satisfied with the meetings, sessions, and capacity-building opportunities provided through our networks
Convenings
IEL has hosted 6 national and regional conferences/convenings throughout FY24, which provided networking, listening and learning, and capacity-building opportunities to 5,235 attendees from 50 U.S. states and regions and 6 international regions.
Among all conference attendees, about 65% had more than 3 years of experience in Community Schools and family engagement work, and about 20% were Community Schools Coordinators. On average, 81% gained new knowledge and skills from all the learning opportunities offered through the convenings that they could apply to their work.
Policy Highlights
Policy By the People Policy Agenda
Under the guidance of our network-created 118th Congress Policy by the People Policy Agenda, IEL led several policy initiatives,
including collaborating with Congresswoman Lee and Senator Brown to sponsor the Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act of
2023. The Coalition for Community Schools also worked with Senator Brown and Representative Chu to sponsor the 7th Annual
Full-Service Community Schools Coordinators Appreciation Week Resolution in the Senate and House. The Resolution was agreed to in the Senate without amendment, and by Unanimous Consent. Furthermore, IEL met with Senator Booker and Congresswoman
Chu’s offices to request they be the primary sponsors of the DIPLOMA Act in their respective chambers. IEL led several policy initiatives, including collaborating with Congresswoman Lee and Senator Brown to sponsor the Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act of
2023 and with Senator Brown and Representative Chu to sponsor the 7th Annual Full-Service Community Schools Coordinators Appreciation Week Resolution, which agreed to in the Senate without amendment and by Unanimous Consent.
In partnership with the field, IEL’s Coalition for Community Schools worked to advocate for funding for the Full-Service Community Schools grant program in fiscal year 2024, sending letters to the House (236 organization signed-on) and Senate (240 organizations joined). The program was level-funded at $150 million.
Additionally, we signed onto 14 letters to Congress supporting the needs of our network, including additional funding for Part G of the Youth Mentoring Grant, eliminating SNAP cuts in the fiscal year 2025 Farm Bill, and opposing spending caps to non-defense discretionary spending in fiscal year 2025. We also partnered on efforts to support Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council, education research, DIPLOMA Act, and federal programs that support infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families, among others.
And, the Coalition team continues to build capacity of state Community Schools coalitions as states advocate to promote Community Schools in their communities, such as in Maine and New Jersey.
Other Select National-Level Policy Advocacy
IEL through the Coalition for Community Schools has partnered with various efforts to support Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council, education research, DIPLOMA Act, and federal programs that support infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families, among others.
Select State-Level Policy Advocacy
On May 1st, 2023, members of the Community Schools Coalition Team supported the Maine Coalition for Community Schools as they testified in favor of An Act to Promote the Community Schools Program (ME L.D. 1527) before the state legislature.
On May 16th, 2023, IEL staff attended the Spring Convening of the New Jersey Community Schools State Coalition along with other important state partners advancing the strategy
Publications
In FY24, IEL published three publications to inform diverse practices:
Knowledge Gained and Applications
About 800 program/project participants gave feedback on their experience and professional development. Almost all (98%) of them gained new knowledge and skills that they can directly apply to their personal and professional development.
Youth gained new awareness, knowledge, and skills regarding leadership, career pathways, local opportunities, and connections to their families, schools, and communities.
Adult participants gained a deep understanding of Community Schools and family engagement, networking opportunities for better local and national collaborations, and tools that they will use to support their strategic planning and decision-making.
IEL Staff & Board are majority BIPOC
60%
IEL staff are BIPOC
3 in 4
IEL staff self-identified as female
90%
IEL board members are BIPOC
75%
Have a Master's Degree or Higher
20%
Have a Disability
Regional Work Highlights
Midwest
Across the Midwest, there are growing relationships and resources around building strong schools and communities. From local impact and expansion, to state coalitions creating space to learn and grow, people are uniting to create the conditions for young people to thrive.
Northeast
We hosted the 2024 Northeast Region Community Schools Virtual Convening, “Northeast Nexus: Uniting Communities through Schools.” Participants explored how Community Schools are a transformative strategy for both schools and communities through a dynamic plenaries, interactive break-outs, and role-alike networking.
Western
Western states accounted for almost 33% of all CSxFE24 participants. Regional Director Christa Rowland reflects on the remarkable work of Community School advocates throughout the region here.
Southern
The We hosted our 2024 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference in Atlanta, which showcased how we partnered with National and State intermediaries to advance systems change in Georgia.
We design for impact:
1) Our collaborative approach is focused on building sustainable leadership capacity that outlasts our presence; and 2) bringing multiple IEL resources to bear in targeted geographic communities allows us to deepen our impact.
3) Improved and more inclusive decision-making processes, systems and practices that ensure that all voices, particularly those of marginalized groups, are elevated and heard.
Increased number of leaders who can create and support policies that lead to more equitable opportunities and access.
4)Increased development and quality execution of equity-centered policies and practices that improve long-term life chances of people in our partner communities.
Improved access to quality educational and workforce resources for children, youth, and families.
Customized Programs
In FY24, IEL continued its capacity-building programs for both youth and adults. The Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) was
implemented in 11 sites and served 340 at-risk youth. Meanwhile, it incorporated new program elements: a summer program and a youth transition data dashboard, both of which will be launched in the first quarter of FY25.
In addition to RAMP, Georgia implemented another IEL program, Leaders of Tomorrow program, which was designed to serve immigrant and refugee youth. In FY24, Georgia provided leadership training to 20 youth participants. FY24 marked the 60th anniversary of IEL’s founding leadership development program, the Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP). The 2023-24 class from across 8 states and DC graduates 171 Fellows. Although EPFP will continue as a vehicle for education capacity building, IEL will be integrating it into a suite of policy/advocacy services Everyone: An Advocate.
In addition to these long-lasting programs, IEL also promoted its micro-credential programs. One is the collaborative leadership training that offered school principals opportunities to reflect and build their leadership capacities to be more effective and efficient leaders of equity. In FY24, 38 participants in New Mexico completed the program with increased knowledge and skills they can directly apply to their work. Another pilot is the micro-credential program (Leadership of Tomorrow [LOT]) for those who are serving or interested in serving immigrant and refugee youth. In FY24, 15 youth-serving professionals from 11 states completed their first online LOT micro-credential program.